BASEBALL: NL West capsules- What's stopping Dodgers from another World Series?

Los Angeles Dodgers

2025 record: 93-69 (1st place, NL West, World Series champions)

Departures: RHP Michael Kopech, RHP Kirby Yates, RHP Tony Gonsolin, C Austin Barnes, OF Michael Conforto, LHP Anthony Banda, OF Justin Dean, C Ben Rortvedt, OF Esteury Ruiz

New additions: OF Kyle Tucker, RHP Edwin Diaz, OF Jack Suwinski, INF Santiago Espinal, OF Michael Siani

Opening Day question: Can Shohei Ohtani win both the NL MVP and Cy Young in the same season? He’s chasing his fourth straight MVP and has never finished higher than fourth in Cy Young voting. With fewer restrictions on his pitching post-Tommy John surgery, this could be his best shot at achieving something no player has ever done.

2026 outlook: The Dodgers remain a powerhouse, with playoff contention seeming inevitable. The biggest risk is starting pitching injuries. Even so, another World Series title is never guaranteed, as last season showed how small margins can decide championships.

San Diego Padres

2025 record: 90-72 (2nd place, NL West)

Departures: RHP Dylan Cease, OF/1B Ryan O'Hearn, RHP Robert Suarez, INF Luis Arraez, C Elias Diaz, INF Jose Iglesias, INF Tyler Wade, 1B Yuli Gurriel, LHP Nestor Cortes, OF Jason Heyward, C Martin Maldonado

New additions: OF/DH Miguel Andujar, OF/1B Nick Castellanos, 1B Ty France, RHP German Marquez, RHP Walker Buehler, LHP Marco Gonzales, RHP Triston McKenzie, INF Sung-Mun Song, RHP Griffin Canning, INF Jose Miranda, OF Alex Verdugo, OF/INF Nick Solak

Opening Day question: Will star right-hander Mason Miller stay with the Padres through the trade deadline? At 102 mph, he’s a rare talent, but the Padres may consider trading him as the team ages and contends with high payroll.

2026 outlook: Projections suggest the Padres may miss the playoffs for the fifth time in seven seasons. The roster still boasts stars like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado, but success depends on health and bounce-back seasons from Buehler, Marquez, Canning, and Joe Musgrove.

San Francisco Giants

2025 record: 81-81 (3rd place, NL West)

Departures: RHP Justin Verlander, 1B/DH Dominic Smith, C Andrew Knizner, 1B Wilmer Flores, LHP Scott Alexander, C Tom Murphy

New additions: Manager Tony Vitello, RHP Tyler Mahle, RHP Adrian Houser, 2B Luis Arraez, OF/DH Will Brennan, OF Harrison Bader, C Daniel Susac, LHP Ryan Borucki, RHP Caleb Killian, RHP Jason Foley, LHP Sam Hentges, C Eric Haase, RHP Gregory Santos, RHP Michael Fulmer

Opening Day question: Can Tony Vitello turn this roster into a postseason contender? With modest free-agent additions and paper-thin depth, it will be a challenge. Slugging prospect Bryce Eldridge may return, but more seasoning is needed.

2026 outlook: The Giants look more like a team in transition. A record just above .500 is possible, but postseason odds remain slim.

Arizona Diamondbacks

2025 record: 80-82 (4th place, NL West)

Departures: RHP Kendall Graveman, LHP Jalen Beeks, INF Blaze Alexander, OF Jake McCarthy, LHP Kyle Backhus, RHP Gus Varland

New additions: RHP Merrill Kelly, 3B Nolan Arenado, 1B Carlos Santana, RHP Michael Soroka, RHP Paul Sewald, RHP Taylor Clarke, RHP Jonathan Loaisiga, INF Luis Urias, RHP Joe Ross, RHP Grant Holman, RHP Kade Strowd

Opening Day question: Can a patchwork roster with stars like Ketel Marte, Corbin Carroll, and Geraldo Perdomo compete? Adding Nolan Arenado and Carlos Santana brings experience, but questions remain about health and performance.

2026 outlook: The D-backs face a tough road to improvement. Three years ago, they reached the World Series with a similar roster. Manager Torey Lovullo’s leadership could be the X-factor.

Colorado Rockies

2025 record: 43-119 (5th place, NL West)

Departures: RHP German Marquez, INF Thairo Estrada, INF Kyle Farmer, LHP Austin Gomber, INF Orlando Arcia

New additions: Team president Paul DePodesta, GM Josh Byrnes, OF Jake McCarthy, 3B Willi Castro, 1B Troy Johnston, 2B Edouard Julien, RHP Michael Lorenzen, LHP Jose Quintana, RHP Tomoyuki Sugano, LHP Brennan Bernardino, RHP John Brebbia, RHP Keegan Thompson, INF Nicky Lopez

Opening Day question: Can the humidor finally help pitching performance? With six pitchers posting ERAs over 6.00 in 2025, improvements are essential. Health concerns, especially Kris Bryant’s back, remain a major issue.

2026 outlook: The Rockies project to win 60-65 games, placing them last in the division but giving them a strong draft position. Their farm system needs significant reinforcement to compete in the future.

-Field Level Media/Reuters