"The Dodgers may have not even qualified for a playoff bye last year, but their dominant performance during the postseason quelled any doubt about the club being the class of the National League."
"Los Angeles did not rest of its laurels this offseason, adding two more superstars: outfielder Kyle Tucker and closer. That duo levels up a roster that already sports Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Mookie Betts among many other high-end players."
"On paper, the Padres might look to some as if they're more likely to miss the playoffs entirely than overtake the Dodgers in the NL West."
"Despite that narrative, the Padres managed to spend much of the summer in a virtual tie with Los Angeles, and they were in sole possession of first place as late as August 23."
The MLB offseason is nearing completion as teams prepare for the upcoming season. Polls indicate the Blue Jays and Tigers as favorites in their respective divisions, while the Mariners lead in the AL West. The Dodgers, despite not securing a playoff bye last year, are seen as the top team in the NL West after adding superstars Kyle Tucker and a closer. The Padres aim to challenge the Dodgers, having previously contended for the division title, but face uncertainties in their rotation.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]