“the existential crisis [he] underwent when first hearing the Dodgers had traded this great catching prospect for an old, not very good impending free agent. It can’t possibly be real.”

couldn’t have put it better myself.

http://www.dodgerdivorce.com/

“the NL West will most likely beat each other silly through the upcoming season”

Well put steevo. I agree that 90 wins takes the West. The next two teams behind that figure might have 89 and 88 wins – it really could be that close. And certainly that could get a team into the play-offs. But, I have a feeling the Mets, Cubs, Braves and maybe even the Marlins, are going to make some noise and be in that mid to high 80′s win count. It should be close anyway, and that is why I really want to win the division. And, home field would be nice again, though against the Phillies it didn’t help much did it.

Yes, parity is generally determined at time of trial. But there are always exceptions.