Dodgers, Padres, Giants & More: A Tale of the Tape Review of the Offseason Thus Far in the NL West

The MLB hot stove is finally rolling. In the last week alone, the Yankees re-signed DJ LeMahieu, George Springer ditched Houston for Toronto, and Liam Hendriks is officially with the White Sox.

But enough about the AL, what have the Dodgers’ NL West rivals done this offseason?

Arizona Diamondbacks

Notable Acquisitions: Chris Devenski (RP)

Notable Departures: Yasmany Tomas (LF)

Arizona certainly hasn’t lit the world on fire this offseason. They signed former Astros reliever and 2017 AL All-Star Chris Devenski to a minor league deal. He recorded a 2.38 ERA in his first two major league seasons combined, but a 4.88 ERA in his last three (2018-2020).

After $68.5M and 208 games in the minors since 2018, Arizona let Yasmany Tomas walk this winter. The Cuban outfielder’s promising 2016 campaign (31 HR/83 RBI/.820 OPS) ultimately proved to be an aberration. Tomas signed a minor league deal with the Nationals.

As of this writing, the Diamondbacks haven’t re-signed veterans Mike Leake, Junior Guerra, Hector Rondon, or Jon Jay.

Even if starter Zac Gallen turns into a legitimate ace, 2021 isn’t looking bright in the Valley of the Sun.

Colorado Rockies

Notable Acquisitions: None

Notable Departures: David Dahl (OF)

The Rockies’ winter is more about what they haven’t done – trade superstar third baseman Nolan Arenado. After a litany of rumors, including the infamous “Arenado will be a Dodger by Christmas” quote by MLB Network’s Jim Bowden, Colorado has stood pat.

2019 NL All-Star David Dahl signed with the Texas Rangers ($2.7M/1) after undergoing shoulder surgery. Colorado didn’t offer him a contract.

Daniel Murphy, Kevin Pillar, AJ Ramos, and Matt Kemp have not re-signed. After finishing eight games under .500 last season, a 81-win season would be an achievement in 2021. 

San Francisco Giants

Notable Acquisitions: Alex Wood (SP), Anthony DeSclafani (SP), Matt Wisler (SP)

Notable Departures: Drew Smyly (SP)

Former Dodger GM Farhan Zaidi pounced on Dodgers free agent Alex Wood last week. The Giants Team President signed Wood to a $3.0M/1 contract with an additional $3M in performance incentives.

OFFICIAL: The #SFGiants have signed left-handed pitcher Alex Wood to a one-year Major League contract for the 2021 season. pic.twitter.com/78Fu5ONpQl

— SFGiants (@SFGiants) January 15, 2021

Man, that hurts just to look at, but I digress. Wood will be a regular starter from week one, something the Dodgers likely weren’t willing to commit to…again.

The Giants also added starters Anthony DeSclafani ($6M/1) and Matt Wisler ($1.15M/1) to fortify their rotation, and added veteran catcher Curt Casali to join a returning Buster Posey behind the plate.

Notably, they haven’t re-signed lefty reliever Tony Watson. Mr. Friedman? Hello?

Zaidi’s more-than-likely plan for 2021 is going to be the same as it was heading into 2020 (before the pandemic changed things), load up on quality assets that you can sell off at the trade deadline and rebuild the farm system. The club will get their dubs, but won’t be serious players in the NL West.

San Diego Padres

Notable Acquisitions: Blake Snell (SP), Yu Darvish (SP), Joe Musgove (SP), Victor Caratini (C),

Notable Departures: Francisco Mejia (C), Luis Patino (P), Zach Davies (SP), Joey Lucchesi (SP), Kirby Yates (RP)

In case you haven’t heard, the Padres have been busy this offseason. They grabbed a pair of aces in Blake Snell and Yu Darvish without trading away their top prospect MacKenzie Gore. Additionally, San Diego also acquired El Cajon native Joe Musgrove from the Pirates to finish their rotation remodel.

The streets of San Diego must be jumping.

Crafty starter Zach Davies was jettisoned to Chicago in the Darvish deal and talented youngster Luis Patino now calls Tampa home. Moreover, noted Dodger-killer Joey Lucchesi was shipped to the Mets in the Musgrove deal. San Diego is still also without a closer as former All-Star Kirby Yates signed with Toronto after missing most of 2020 with bone chips in his elbow, and Trevor Rosenthal remains a free agent.

Whether Dodger fans like it or not, the Padres pose the most serious threat to dethroning the Dodgers in the division. They kept their farm system intact despite acquiring high quality starters. The biggest questions remains – can the talented Padres replicate their success in a 162 game season?

Los Angeles Dodgers

Notable Acquisitions: Blake Treinen (RP), Corey Knebel (RP), Brandon Morrow (RP), Jimmy Nelson (SP/RP),

Notable Departures: Kiké Hernandez (UTIL), Joc Pederson (OF), Pedro Baez (RP), Jake McGee (RP), Alex Wood (SP/RP)

Finally, while the Dodgers have been linked to some big names, trading for Corey Knebel and re-signing Blake Treinen remains their lone significant winter moves. Still, the hot stove appears to be heating up for Los Angeles with the club reportedly in varied levels of talks with Justin Turner, Marcus Semien, and 2020 NL Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer.

Enrique Hernandez,mustache and all, is likely gone, but Gavin Lux will get his runway in 2021. And David Price joins the rotation after a season off. Don’t be surprised to see the reigning World Series champs rattle off their 9th consecutive division crown in about 9 months.

Dodgers Writer Predicts LA Re-Signs Justin Turner Within the Week