The start of the 2025-26 MLB regular season is right around the corner.
The reigning World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers will head to Tokyo next month to begin the year versus the Chicago Cubs. The two-game series will count toward the regular season standings. Of course, with both teams featuring multiple Japanese players, it only made sense for LA and Chicago to go toe-to-toe in front of a very passionate swath of fans.
Speaking of the Dodgers, the aim to repeat this year was made tougher through moves made by some of their competitors within the NL West.
As we rank the teams in the division, two teams not named the Dodgers made moves to strengthen their rosters. On the other of the coin, two other ballclubs essentially were asleep by not doing much of anything.
5. Colorado Rockies
There’s nothing to suggest Colorado will get out of the NL West cellar anytime soon. Simply put, the franchise doesn’t do enough to be competitive.
The unwillingness to spend money is glaring. The most recent time Colorado did splash some major cash came in the form of Kris Bryant. Thus far, the deal worth over $180 million has been disastrous. Bryant can’t stay healthy, and many think it’s the worst contract in baseball at the moment.
Ezequiel Tovar, Brenton Doyle, and Michael Toglia are all good young players. Having said that, when your big offseason acquisition is a utility infielder in Thairo Estrada, things look immensely bleak. It also doesn’t help that the vast majority of pitchers have virtually no chance of succeeding in Denver given the elements.
4. San Diego Padres
This one may surprise some people.
San Diego was one game away from eliminating the Dodgers in the NLDS last year. Many viewed the Padres as the most talented team in the sport (including some of the Dodgers who publicly admitted as much). Since San Diego’s season has ended, the offseason has gone about as poorly as it possibly could’ve gone.
Tanner Scott left the club and signed with the Dodgers. Roki Sasaki — the prodigy from Japan that San Diego had been pursuing for years — also ended up with LA. Starting catcher Kyle Higashioka signed with the Rangers. Infielder Ha-Seong Kim inked a deal with Tampa Bay. Pitcher Joe Musgrove will likely miss the entire year due to elbow surgery.
Even after all of that, the ownership group is currently involved in a messy lawsuit between the wife of late owner Peter Seidler and his brothers. San Diego hasn’t been able to spend anything as a result, and there’s a chance they trade one of — if not both Dylan Cease and Michael King with each pitcher slated for free agency after this season. The lawsuit is hanging over this franchise like an albatross. As such, it could totally dislodge what had been previously a very solid team.
3. San Francisco Giants
Those in the Bay should feel optimistic about the Giants.
SF has one of the game’s best managers in Bob Melvin. Playing in the league’s most pitcher-friendly park, conventional wisdom suggests the Giants will be competitive more often than not with its starters and relievers. Adding Justin Verlander was a nice boost to a solid group already featuring Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, Jordan Hicks, and Kyle Harrison.
Matt Chapman was re-signed, last year’s highly-touted free agent signing Jung Hoo Lee should be back healthy, and the team went out and inked elite shortstop Willy Adames to a multi-year deal. Lee and Adames should help the offense considerably, and when you can defend/pitch as well as the Giants, you’ll certainly be a threat for a Wild Card spot.
2. Arizona Diamondbacks
There’s an irony here with Arizona.
On paper, this is one of the best teams in the league. It just so happens that they’re in a division with the ultimate juggernaut.
The Diamondbacks have the look of a squad that can make the World Series if things go right. Despite losing Christian Walker to free agency, nabbing Josh Naylor from the Guardians via trade was a shrewd move. The lineup is deep — galvanized at the top by Ketel Marte and Corbin Carroll.
The pitching staff goes a legit six-deep within the rotation. Corbin Burnes arguably was the best arm out on the market. Wanting to pitch on the West Coast where he he grew up, he turned down bigger offers to play in Phoenix. He immediately gives Arizona a true ace atop the rotation which also includes Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguez, Brandon Pfaadt, and Jordan Montgomery. Barring injury, Arizona should be a playoff team. Regular season series between themselves and the Dodgers will be must-see television.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
It’s astounding that the Dodgers seemingly got much better despite coming off winning the World Series.
With the myriad of injuries in the rotation last season, the Dodgers went out and acquired Blake Snell — arguably the best left-handed pitcher in baseball. With Sasaki and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in tow, and the expected returns of Tyler Glasnow, Clayton Kershaw, and Shohei Ohtani, you’re looking at an embarrassment of riches.
The lineup became fortified by acquiring underrated outfielder Michael Conforto. Teoscar Hernandez was brought back after a stellar 2024 campaign. Gavin Lux was traded to the Reds in order to open up a spot for a younger, better defensive, more athletic player in Korean infielder Hyeseong Kim.
The bullpen — already a major strength — became even more loaded by adding veterans Scott and Kirby Yates.
Without question, this team is primed to make another legitimate run at another World Series ring.
