The National League West remains a battleground as teams vie for roster spots ahead of the season. The Arizona Diamondbacks are focusing on center field, with Jake McCarthy edging out Alek Thomas based on their early performances. While McCarthy's speed has proven valuable, Thomas has yet to deliver consistent power. The fifth starter role sees Brandon Pfaadt and Ryne Nelson in contention, while Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk compete to become the closer after Paul Sewald's departure.

Meanwhile, the Colorado Rockies are evaluating their right field options, with Hunter Goodman, Jordan Beck, and Zac Veen in the mix. Goodman’s dual role at catcher complicates things, and veterans may fill the gap if the youngsters don’t impress. Chase Dollander, the promising rookie, is expected to start in the minors due to spring struggles, while Seth Halvorsen appears to be the most viable closing option despite a historically tough environment for Rockies relievers. The Los Angeles Dodgers focus on second base and center field, with Tommy Edman likely starting regularly as the team assesses Hyeseong Kim's power revamp. Dustin May has secured the fifth starter role, but injury concerns loom for Tony Gonsolin.

Several Major League Baseball players are poised for salary arbitration, with 29 players eligible after two to three years of service time. Notable names include Boston's Jarren Duran and Kutter Crawford, along with Seattle's George Kirby and Tampa Bay's Shane Baz.

The eligibility cutoff has been adjusted to 2 years and 132 days of service, impacting players like Washington's Michael Rucker and Atlanta's Angel Perdomo. The arbitration process will see proposed salaries exchanged on January 9, with hearings scheduled for late January to mid-February.