The National League West is witnessing significant roster changes as teams gear up for the 2025 season. The Los Angeles Dodgers have made a notable move by re-signing slugger Teoscar Hernández to a lucrative three-year deal worth $66 million. This decision aligns perfectly with the team's strategy and Hernández's aspirations. Meanwhile, in a surprising turn of events, the Arizona Diamondbacks secured the offseason's top free agent pitcher, Corbin Burnes, with a six-year contract valued at $210 million, which includes an opt-out after 2026. Burnes, who resides in Arizona, is expected to bolster the Diamondbacks' rotation after they narrowly missed the postseason last year.

The Dodgers, coming off a World Series championship, have also added Blake Snell to their pitching staff, aiming to strengthen their rotation. This move is seen as an upgrade over the performance of Walker Buehler and Jack Flaherty in 2024. With a roster featuring high-caliber pitchers like Tyler Glasnow and Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers are poised for another strong season. However, they face challenges, including the need to sign Roki Sasaki and possibly re-sign Clayton Kershaw.

On the other hand, the San Diego Padres have had a quiet offseason, with no significant additions to their roster despite a strong 2024 campaign. Their focus now shifts to filling gaps in left field, catcher, and starting pitching, particularly after Joe Musgrove's Tommy John surgery. The Diamondbacks, while losing some key players, are expected to trade Jordan Montgomery to further improve their roster. The San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies are also navigating their offseason needs, with the Giants seeking to stabilize their rotation and the Rockies struggling to remain competitive.

The Tampa Bay Rays are close to finalizing a trade that will send left-handed pitcher Jeffrey Springs to the Oakland Athletics. In return, the Rays will receive right-handed pitchers Joe Boyle and Jacob Watters, along with first baseman Will Simpson, plus a compensation A round draft pick.

Springs, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, had a solid four-year tenure with the Rays, posting an impressive 2.63 ERA. This trade marks a significant move for both teams as the Athletics look to bolster their rotation while the Rays continue to manage their pitching depth.

Ryan Pepiot has secured a pre-arbitration bonus in 2024 after joining the Tampa Bay Rays, making him one of 101 players to benefit from the league's bonus pool. The $50 million pool rewards players with less than three years of MLB service time based on performance metrics.

Pepiot received a $236,000 bonus, ranking 98th among recipients. He had a solid season with the Rays, posting an 8-8 record and a 3.60 ERA, contributing to the team's rotation after his trade from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The recent $765 million contract for Juan Soto has set a new benchmark in Major League Baseball, but it also highlighted a significant trend in the offseason: starting pitchers are commanding higher salaries than ever before.

Max Fried's $218 million deal with the New York Yankees and Nathan Eovaldi's $75 million contract with the Texas Rangers exemplify this shift. The demand for reliable starting pitchers, despite their declining usage, has surged due to a scarcity of durable arms and rising injury rates.

Executives and agents attribute this trend to the increasing rarity of pitchers who can consistently deliver quality innings, as well as the influence of big-market teams like the New York Mets. As teams scramble to bolster their rotations, the offseason has already seen a significant amount of spending on starting pitchers, signaling a renewed focus on this critical position.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to kick off the 2025 season in Japan, participating in the 'Tokyo Series' against the Chicago Cubs on March 18-19. This event promises to be a significant occasion for baseball, highlighting the sport's international appeal, particularly with prominent Japanese players involved.

However, Dodgers' star Shohei Ohtani is unlikely to pitch during this series due to his ongoing recovery from Tommy John surgery and a partially torn labrum. Manager Dave Roberts expressed concerns about Ohtani's workload management as the season approaches.

Once healthy, Ohtani will join a formidable pitching rotation alongside Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell, Clayton Kershaw, Dustin May, and Tony Gonsolin.