Morning Phil Up – 2/17/2014 – National League West Links

Pablo Sandoval. Image Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

A collection of links from around the National League West

Around the Foghorn – Pablo Sandoval Talks About Teammates Challenging Him, Plus His Contract

Pablo Sandoval has been the talk of Giants camp in the early going.  He is noticeably slimmer after teammates challenged him to lose weight in the offseason.  He is due to be a free agent at the end of the season, but is open to discussing a contract extension with the team, thinking they could have a dynasty brewing.

Surf, Turf, and Murph – Padres don’t plan to limit Andrew Cashner’s innings this season

Andrew Cashner is expected to be the ace for the Padres in 2014. Unlike last year, the team doesn’t expect to shut him down early. Last season, the Padres placed a limit on his innings at 175. This season, there are no such restrictions, and hopefully Cashner is able to truly emerge as one of the best pitchers in baseball.

Call to the Pen – Matt Kemp Doesn’t Want to Hear that He’s a Fourth Outfielder

With Carl Crawford, Yasiel Puig, and Andre Ethier on the Los Angeles Dodgers roster, there might not be a starting spot for Matt Kemp. Kemp doesn’t want to hear that talk though. He thinks that as soon as he’s fully recovered from his ankle injury he’ll be playing every day.  That is a big reason why Kemp’s name has been active in trade rumors this offseason.

Inside the ‘Zona – A Step or Three in the Wrong Direction

When the Diamondbacks signed Bronson Arroyo to a two-year deal, it was another example of general manager Kevin Towers not valuing cost-controlled assets. Instead of signing Arroyo, as well as acquiring Mark Trumbo and Addison Reed, they could have kept young talent like Matt Davidson and Adam Eaton. Towers may have marginally improved the team, but he’s also made it more expensive, and it is likely to get even costlier in the next few years.

The Denver Post – Carlos Gonzalez May Stay in Left

After center fielder Dexter Fowler was traded in the offseason, it was expected that left fieler Carlos Gonzalez would shift to center to replace him. Playing center in Coors Field is no easy task, and if Gonzalez is forced to play there full time, he’ll likely need more off days. Considering how valuable Gonzalez is to the Rockies lineup, they might be better served letting newcomer Drew Stubbs play there instead.