The Los Angeles Dodgers have significantly bolstered their chances for the upcoming MLB season by infusing their roster with key players like Blake Snell and Michael Conforto, while also retaining talent like Blake Treinen and Teoscar Hernández. On the contrary, the San Diego Padres have struggled to make impactful moves, losing out on Roki Sasaki, which could have solidified their pitching rotation for a fraction of the cost.

Despite this, Padres' pitcher Michael King remains optimistic, believing that had they defeated the Dodgers in last year’s postseason, they could have claimed the World Series title. With the loss of key players like Kyle Higashioka and Ha-Seong Kim, the Padres are still seeking trades to manage payroll, leaving their season prospects uncertain.

As spring training unfolds, the San Diego Padres face a pressing decision regarding their No. 5 starting pitcher. Currently, the rotation features Nick Pivetta, Yu Darvish, Michael King, and Dylan Cease. With the season opener looming, the Padres are evaluating several candidates including Kyle Hart, Jhony Brito, Stephen Kolek, Matt Waldron, and Randy Vásquez for the final rotation spot. Manager Mike Shildt emphasized the importance of a smart approach early in the season, particularly with Joe Musgrove still recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Hart, fresh off winning the Korean Cy Young award, has been identified as a leading contender. Shildt noted that while Hart aims to secure a rotation spot, there's also a focus on his gradual build-up during camp. With 39 days left in spring training, the competition remains wide open, and the Padres are keen on ensuring the selected pitcher can effectively contribute to the bullpen as they look to maximize their roster depth this season.

The San Diego Padres have bolstered their starting rotation by signing veteran pitcher Nick Pivetta to a four-year, $55 million deal. This contract, pending a physical, features opt-outs after the second and third years and is structured to relieve immediate financial pressure on the team's payroll, which is projected to rise significantly in the coming years.

Pivetta, turning 32 soon, will slot into a rotation alongside Dylan Cease, Yu Darvish, and Michael King, as the Padres aim to compensate for the absence of Joe Musgrove, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery. Known for his durability and strikeout ability, Pivetta’s recent performance with the Boston Red Sox included a 4.14 ERA over 145⅔ innings and the lowest walk rate of his career.

Paul Skenes, the National League Rookie of the Year, expressed little concern about his future with the Pittsburgh Pirates. At just 22 years old, Skenes made a significant impact during his debut season, boasting an impressive 1.96 ERA over 23 starts. Despite speculation about the franchise's spending habits this offseason, he remains focused on the upcoming season and the team's potential for improvement.

The Pirates have secured some core players like Bryan Reynolds and Mitch Keller but face pressure to maximize their time with Skenes before he becomes arbitration-eligible after 2026. Skenes, however, is primarily focused on helping the Pirates return to playoff contention.

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.