The NL West is one of the toughest divisions to compete in baseball. When you have a team like the Dodgers that throws around money like Scrooge McDuck and buys all the good free agents, it’s hard to dethrone them. But that has not stopped the other four teams in the West from trying. This division should see a ton of activity from these teams at the deadline, positioning themselves to compete. But what will the goal of each NL West team be?
What Each NL West Team Should Target At The Deadline
Los Angeles Dodgers, Starting Pitching: With a team like the Dodgers’, it’s hard to find a problem with their roster. With them basically having an all-star team, they could do nothing at the deadline and still probably make a World Series run. At the very least, run away with the NL West. But if there is one area the Dodgers could use an upgrade, it’s their rotation. Their rotation has been ravaged by injuries, with guys like Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow being on the shelf for most of the season. They are one of the few teams that can realistically trade for Tarik Skubal. They have the prospect capital to trade for him and the money to lock him up long-term. If they want to pursue Skubal in free agency, they could target Freddy Peralta.
Arizona Diamondbacks, Offense: Despite having a record of below .500 for the month of June, the Diamondbacks are in second place in the NL West. Sure, they are 13 games out and have little chance of catching the Dodgers, but they are only three games back of the last wild card spot. If they want to make a run at that last spot, they need to upgrade their offense. They rank in the bottom third of runs scored, home runs, batting average, and OPS. Their main target should be Luis Arraez, if the Giants will trade within the division. He is the best contact hitter in the game and would be a perfect table setter. They could also look for Luis Garcia Jr., who would add some pop to their lineup. But he will cost more with him under club control next season.
San Diego Padres, Mid to Back of the Rotation Arms: Although the Padres have a .500 record, it has been a strange season. Stars like Fernando Tatis Jr and Manny Machado have seen long, uncharacteristic struggles this season. They have a lot of work to do if they want to return to the level of contenders they were in the past. While they have problems in their lineup, their focus should be on the rotation. Their rotation ranks middle of the pack in terms of staff ERA and has been bitten by the injury bug. They will not be able to acquire an ace, but someone like Michael Wacha would be a great fit for the team. They also could look at Foster Griffin. Either one of these players could stabilize the middle of their rotation.
San Francisco Giants, Re-Stock Farm System: It appears that the Giants are heading towards a rebuild. Despite being seen as a dark horse in the National League, they have struggled. They are currently 36-50 and are 10 games out of a playoff spot. They have also dealt with a ton of drama, so it just feels like it’s time for a reset. The most likely candidates to be moved are Arraez and Robbie Ray. Both of these guys will be solid upgrades for a contender and will not cost a lot. Matt Chapman is also someone we could see be sent elsewhere. They could land a decent package with Chapman being under contract until 2031. The Giants would also like to move Rafael Devers and Willy Adames, but those seem like offseason moves.
Colorado Rockies, Sell High on Strong Performances: Once again, the Rockies find themselves in the basement of the NL West. Not only are they in last place, but they are tied with the Royals for the worst record in the majors. While the team has struggled, several players have delivered strong performances that could land them some intriguing prospects. Antonio Senzatela is their most valuable piece. A reliever under contract until next season and has put up solid numbers at Coors Field. He’s also been lights out on the road. Hunter Goodman would also net a huge return, as he’s been a better hitter on the road this season and has three years of control. Jake McCarthy and Mickey Moniak are also on the trade block, but are benefiting from Coors Field.
