Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Copyrighted by Sarah Morris, 2025
I usually rate the National League Western Division before the season, but this year, it is difficult. The Dodgers are the best team with shortcomings at second base and center field. The San Francisco Giants, Arizona Diamondbacks, and San Diego Padres are capable to be the National League Wild Card teams. The Colorado Rockies are going nowhere.
After winning the World Series, the Dodgers have had a busy offseason. They signed left-handed Blake Snell to a long-term lucrative contract. They signed Michael Conforto, which will improve the bottom of the lineup. They re-signed Blake Treinen and Teoscar Hernández. Tommy Edman signed a five-year contract extension. Roki Sasaki, the most talented pitcher on the free agent market, signed with the Dodgers, and Hyeseong Kim, a future Dodger shortstop, joined the Dodgers from South Korea.
The Dodgers already have two wins on the regular season even though they didn’t have Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman in the lineup. For now, Andy Pages will roam center field. In the past, Pages had defense difficulties in center field, but during the series against the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo, he made many great defensive plays while playing an integral role in the Dodger offensive production. If Pages proves he can’t handle center field, the Dodgers can go with their original plan with Tommy Edman play center field. Now, Edman, a former Gold Glove, is playing second base.
If the Dodgers can stay healthy, they can win more than 100 games this season. While the Dodgers suffer a record-breaking number of injuries, they won their first full-season world championship since 1988. Their experience last year will help them overcome anything that will happen in the 2025 season.
The Giants signed Willy Adames and Justin Verlander during the offseason. This spring training, the Giants won 20 and lost 6. I wouldn’t be shocked if the Giants surprise the baseball world with a fantastic regular season record.
The Diamondbacks are only a year removed from going to the World Series. They signed Corbin Burnes, a great right-handed starter. They lost Jordan Montgomery to Tommy John surgery. I think the Diamondbacks will be third in the National League Western Division.
The Padres have financial problems after their owner died. They didn’t add anything this offseason. Yu Darvish has shut down with arm fatigue. I won’t count out the Padres when they have Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis, Jr.
The Colorado Rockies will finish last in the Western Division. Their owners and front office haven’t figured out how to win the high altitude of Denver. They have a couple good young players.
As every year, baseball fans should watch the National League Western Division for exciting baseball.
