NL West Preview: Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Padres lead a loaded division
Could October deliver another thrilling slugfest between the rival Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres?
Or, it could be the Arizona Diamondbacks' turn again on the big fall stage.
In the loaded NL West, Shohei Ohtani and the big-money Dodgers remain the team to beat after winning 11 of the past 12 division titles, but several clubs look like contenders to make a postseason splash.
Buster Posey is doing his best to make sure San Francisco is at least part of the playoff conversation. The former star catcher is now in charge of personnel and roster building as the Giants try to get back into contention.
Chasing down the Dodgers remains a tall order for the other clubs, especially with Ohtani expected back on the mound at last for Los Angeles sometime later this spring.
How they project1. Los Angeles Dodgers. The defending World Series-winning Dodgers have put their trust not only in Ohtani but also in manager Dave Roberts, who enters his 10th season with the highest winning percentage in major league history at .627 (851-507) and a new four-year contract that takes him through the 2029 campaign. Los Angeles added two-time Cy Young Award-winning lefty Blake Snell to a $182 million, five-year contract shortly after winning the World Series and also landed Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki to deepen its starting rotation. Freddie Freeman will have to manage his surgically repaired right ankle through the first half of the season.
2. Arizona Diamondbacks. Expectations have skyrocketed for the Diamondbacks after owner Ken Kendrick opened up his wallet in the offseason to add ace right-hander Corbin Burnes on a $210 million, six-year deal. Arizona could have one of the deepest starting rotations in baseball with Burns, Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguez and Brandon Pfaadt. The D-backs scored the most runs in the big leagues last year with a group led by Ketel Marte, Corbin Carroll, Eugenio Suarez and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. First baseman Christian Walker left in free agency, but the D-backs quickly filled the hole by adding slugger Josh Naylor in a deal with the Guardians. Naylor had 31 homers and 108 RBIs last season. Arizona doesn’t have the star power of the Dodgers, but the franchise still has high hopes for a return to the playoffs and possibly a deep run in October.
3. San Diego Padres. San Diego stretched archrival Los Angeles to the limit in a thrilling division series last October, but it ended with a brutal 24-inning scoring drought for this talent-laden roster. The Padres have the personnel to shake it off while resuming their chase of the powerhouse 90 miles to the north. Fernando Tatís Jr. and Manny Machado return with gifted youngster Jackson Merrill atop an excellent lineup. Early-spring signee Nick Pivetta supplements Dylan Cease, Michael King and Yu Darvish at the top of a solid rotation. The bullpen is also loaded with options behind All-Star closer Robert Suarez. On paper, the Padres again have the talent to contend for their first World Series title. They just need to get it done.
4. San Francisco Giants. Posey quickly got to work building around Logan Webb and some other key young faces for a club that went 80-82 to finish fourth in the West and miss the playoffs for a third straight season since its division title and franchise-best 107-win 2021 campaign. Justin Verlander signed a $15 million, one-year contract and shortstop Willy Adames received a $182 million, seven-year contract in December. This will be the 20th major league season for the 42-year-old Verlander, a three-time AL Cy Young Award winner.
5. Colorado Rockies. A youth movement highlighted by Gold Glove-winning shortstop Ezequiel Tovar will try to snap a string of six straight losing seasons. Colorado's projected win total is 59 1/2 by Bet MGM, which would put the Rockies at 100 losses for a third straight season. The 21-year-old Tovar hit .269 with 26 homers last season, while 26-year-old Brenton Doyle captured his second straight Gold Glove for patrolling center field at cavernous Coors Field. The rotation will feature hard-throwing right-handers Antonio Senzatela and Germán Márquez, who are making their way back to full strength from elbow injuries.
Ohtani's timelineRoberts has said Ohtani could return to the mound in May, but the Dodgers' manager has been intentionally vague about the timeline as the team tries to set Ohtani up for a healthy 2025. He was limited to hitting only in 2024 following offseason elbow surgery, then had surgery on his left, non-throwing shoulder after the World Series. Ohtani slowed his work on the mound in the leadup to the Tokyo Series so he could concentrate on his hitting.
Arráez on the move?Three-time NL batting champion Luis Arráez could be on the move again this season. San Diego acquired Arráez from Miami last May and played him mostly at first base, but there's speculation the Padres could seek to trade him before he becomes a free agent after the 2025 season. Arráez is a career .323 hitter, but after posting a .393 on-base percentage and 4.6 wins above replacement (WAR), per Baseball-Reference in 2023, those numbers dipped to .346 and 1.0 in 2024.
___
AP Baseball Writer David Brandt and AP Sports Writers Greg Beacham, Pat Graham and Beth Harris contributed to this story.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
-
NL West preview: Can the Dodgers win a record number of games this year? | Baseball Bar-B-Cast
The division preview pods roll on as Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman preview the NL West. Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman breakdown the 2025 season outlook for the Colorado Rockies, San Francisco ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
NL West season preview: Can anyone top the Dodgers? Will the Padres, Giants or D-backs reach the playoffs?
With the season-opening Tokyo Series just around the corner, let's take stock of the National League West.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Vedder Cup at stake when Padres face Mariners as part of Pearl Jam singer's charity drive
The winner of the annual series between the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners will now win the Vedder Cup, a trophy designed by Pearl Jam lead singer Eddie Vedder. This award is part of a ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Yoshinobu Yamamoto is thrilled to go home to Japan wearing Dodger blue
Yoshinobu Yamamoto will take the mound in his native Japan on Tuesday as part of the MLB season opener between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs.NBC News - 8h -
Hot spring continues for Arizona Diamondbacks starter; Josh Naylor goes deep
New Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher shoved again on the mound on March 15, 2025 in Scottsdale at Salt River Fields.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Mariners and Padres announce ‘Vedder Cup’ this season
The Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres will play for the ‘Vedder Cup’ in the upcoming 2025 season.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Ohtani thrills Tokyo fans despite hitless performance
Shohei Ohtani thrilled Tokyo baseball fans again on Sunday despite a brief hitless performance from the Japanese superstar as his Los Angeles Dodgers lost their second exhibition game.Ohtani is in ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Dodgers vs. Cubs prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs Game PreviewYahoo Sports - 7h -
Eddie Vedder Will Present Seattle Mariners-San Diego Padres Rivalry ‘Cup’ During MLB Season
The winner of the Padres-Mariners series will win the Vedder Cup, designed by the Pearl Jam frontman himselfYahoo Sports - 3d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Twins’ Royce Lewis will miss start of season after hurting his hamstring
Lewis is coming off a 2024 season that saw him appear in just 82 games due to quadriceps and adductor issues.Yahoo Sports - 3h -
Texans to pick up Derek Stingley's Jr.'s fifth-year option ahead of extension
The Houston Texans will have Derek Stingley Jr. under contract through 2029 after agreeing to pick up one final year on his rookie deal.Yahoo Sports - 6h -
MLB hyped up a video game-like replay view from the Tokyo Dome and fans justifiably hated it
The on-field replay did not go over how MLB expected.Yahoo Sports - 8h -
The Players Championship 2025 prize money: Full payout from the $25 million purse
Here's how the $25 million purse will be paid out this week at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Auburn basketball’s first round opponent revealed ahead of 2025 NCAA Tournament
Auburn basketball will face either Alabama State or St. Francis in March Madness to open its 2025 NCAA Tournament men’s bracket.Yahoo Sports - 1d
More in Sports
-
Let the fun begin: Make your picks for the women's tournament
Compete with friends and family to show off your skills by creating or joining a group now!ESPN - 18m -
The women’s March Madness bracket is here -- so is your guide to all 68 teams
We look at every team in the women's NCAA bracket.ESPN - 18m -
Why Geovany Quenda can be Chelsea's answer to Saka
Chelsea look set to land the Sporting CP teen in 2026 and Quenda's style has been compared to an Arsenal star.ESPN - 25m -
Transfer rumors, news: Man United scouting Sesko, Ekitike
Will Benjamin Sesko or Hugo Ekitike be able to solve Manchester United's goal-scoring issues? Transfer Talk has the latest news, gossip and rumors.ESPN - 25m -
Transfer rumors, news: Man United scouting Sesko, Ekitike
Will Benjamin Sesko or Hugo Ekitike be able to solve Manchester United's goal-scoring issues? Transfer Talk has the latest news, gossip and rumors.ESPN - 25m