National League West preview

Los Angeles Dodgers

2018: 92-71, first place, lost to Boston in World Series.

Manager: Dave Roberts (fourth season).

He’s Here: CF A.J. Pollock, RHP Joe Kelly, C Russell Martin, LHP Adam McCreery.

He’s Outta Here: SS Manny Machado, OF Matt Kemp, OF Yasiel Puig, C Yasmani Grandal, LHP Alex Wood, 2B Brian Dozier, RHP Ryan Madson, C Kyle Farmer, 2B Chase Utley, RHP John Axford, RHP Josh Fields, RHP Daniel Hudson, LHP-RHP Pat Venditte.

Outlook: Roberts received a contract extension through 2022, and the Dodgers are favorites to win a seventh straight NL West title. Seager is expected to be ready for opening day, having recovered from Tommy John surgery and a hip operation. Martin, a four-time All-Star who helped lead Los Angeles to three straight playoff appearances during his first stint with the team from 2006-10, will add a veteran presence to the clubhouse. Jansen had a heart procedure during the offseason and is looking to return to dominance. Pollock signed a $55 million, four-year deal in January to be the everyday center fielder. Kelly came over from Boston to be the setup man for Jansen.

Colorado Rockies

2018: 91-72, second place, wild card, lost to Milwaukee in Division Series.

Manager: Bud Black (third season).

He’s Here: 1B Daniel Murphy, 1B Mark Reynolds.

He’s Outta Here: 2B DJ LeMahieu, RHP Adam Ottavino, OF Carlos Gonzalez, OF Matt Holliday, OF Gerardo Parra, C Drew Butera.

Outlook: The Rockies were certainly busy this spring, locking up Arenado with a $260 million, eight-year contract and signing Black to an extension that runs through the 2022 season. Now, they have to prove to Arenado they’re serious about winning. The four-time All-Star and six-time Gold Glove winner can opt out after the 2021 season. This team made has it to the playoffs two straight seasons for the first time in franchise history, but the Rockies are still chasing their first NL West title. They’re switching things up by moving Blackmon from center field to right and sending Desmond from first base to center. Murphy will step in at first base. It’s a formidable lineup from top to bottom, with Arenado moving to the No. 2 spot. Story is coming off the best of his three big league seasons after hitting 37 homers and stealing 27 bases in 2018. He also made his first All-Star appearance. “We’re heading in the right direction,” Story said.

Arizona Diamondbacks

2018: 82-80, third place.

Manager: Torey Lovullo (third season).

He’s Here: RHP Luke Weaver, C Carson Kelly, OF Adam Jones, INF Wilmer Flores, RHP Greg Holland.

He’s Outta Here: 1B Paul Goldschmidt, CF A.J. Pollock, LHP Patrick Corbin, C Jeff Mathis, INF Daniel Descalso, RHP Clay Buchholz, OF Jon Jay, INF-OF Chris Owings, RHP Brad Boxberger, RHP Randall Delgado, LHP Jake Diekman, RHP Shelby Miller, RHP Brad Ziegler, C Chris Stewart.

Outlook: The Diamondbacks are hoping to contend again, even with Goldschmidt in St. Louis. Losing one of baseball’s best players and a fan favorite is a huge hit, though Arizona still has some quality players and added veterans such as Jones and Flores. The Diamondbacks are hoping Lamb can make the transition from third base to first and regain the form he had before shoulder surgery last season.

San Francisco Giants

2018: 73-89, fourth place.

Manager: Bruce Bochy (13th season).

He’s Here: LHP Drew Pomeranz, OF Gerardo Parra, C Rene Rivera, OF Cameron Maybin, C Stephen Vogt, LHP Travis Bergen, INF Yangervis Solarte.

He’s Outta Here: OF Hunter Pence, OF Gregor Blanco, OF Gorkys Hernandez, C Nick Hundley, RHP Hunter Strickland, RHP Derek Law.

Outlook: The Giants are a team in transition after a two-year stretch of 187 losses that was the worst for the franchise since 1984-85. Bochy has already announced this is his last season after winning three World Series titles in San Francisco. Farhan Zaidi was hired as president of baseball operations but didn’t make a splash in his first offseason, with the biggest addition being Pomeranz, who struggled last season for Boston. There’s even uncertainty regarding ownership, with President and CEO Larry Baer on a leave of absence after the release of a video showing him in a physical altercation with his wife. There are still a few key pieces left from a team that made the playoffs in 2016, most notably Posey, Bumgarner, Crawford and Belt. But with Posey coming off hip surgery and Bumgarner a possible trade candidate in the final year of his deal, that core might not be in place for long, either. The rotation is lacking behind Bumgarner, with Johnny Cueto recovering from Tommy John surgery. With few high-end prospects in the upper ranks of the minors, the Giants appear to be in for another rebuilding year and could be in line to win fewer than 75 games in three straight full seasons for the first time since 1900-02.

San Diego Padres

2018: 66-96, fifth place.

Manager: Andy Green (fourth season).

He’s Here: 3B Manny Machado, 2B Ian Kinsler, INF Greg Garcia, RHP Garrett Richards.

He’s Outta Here: SS Freddy Galvis, LHP Clayton Richard, INF Carlos Asuaje, C A.J. Ellis.

Outlook: The signing of Machado to a $300 million, 10-year contract made the Padres relevant, even if they do miss the playoffs for the 13th straight year. It at least gets them closer to expectations of being competitive by next season or 2021. The next big addition is expected to be top prospect Fernando Tatis Jr., the 20-year-old shortstop and son of a former big leaguer. Tatis is expected to make his debut at some point this season. Hosmer, whose $144 million, eight-year deal had been the team’s biggest contract before the Machado signing, is looking for a bounce-back season after struggling in his first year with San Diego. Myers moves from third base, where he struggled late last season, back to center field.