The Los Angeles Dodgers have reigned as National League West Champions nine out of the last 10 seasons. The only season they came up short was in 2021, when L.A. won 106 regular-season games, only one game short of the 107 wins posted by the San Francisco Giants that season.
There is no question that the Dodgers have been the dominant force in the National League West for the majority of the last decade. However, after an offseason of much inactivity surrounded by competitors breaking the bank, there isn’t much reason to bet on the seven-time World Series champions in the 2023 campaign.
The Dodgers did not do enough this offseason to remain atop the NL West
The Dodgers had an interesting winter, to say the least. Watching Trea Turner walk certainly hurts. The perennial MVP candidate signed an 11-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, leaving the Dodgers with a gaping hole at shortstop. Surely Los Angeles countered this loss with a blockbuster move to fill their shortstop vacancy, right? Nope, the Dodgers decided to trade for former Marlins’ shortstop Miguel Rojas, who is not a bad player by any means. He would actually fill a need for many major league clubs. But for a team that just won 111 regular season games and then lost arguably the best shortstop in baseball, Rojas isn’t going to move the needle for the Dodgers.
L.A. also lost Cody Bellinger and Justin Turner to free agency, signing with the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox, respectively.
The San Diego Padres had an offseason for the ages
Not only did Los Angeles not do enough to better their team this winter, the Padres had an incredibly busy offseason. San Diego added Xander Bogaerts, and will be getting Fernando Tatis Jr. back from his PED suspension. The Padres have a loaded team, and their lineup is not the only part of their elite club. L.A.’s rivals also employ Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove, and Blake Snell atop their pitching staff. That three-headed monster is well equipped to shut down the Dodgers offense this upcoming season.
Between the Dodgers having an unusually inactive offseason, and the Padres breaking the bank this winter, there is a new titan atop the National League West. It’s the San Diego Padres.