With spring training here, there is optimism abound in 30 Major League cities. Now, legit or not, every fanbase needs reasons to be excited at the start of the baseball season. Some teams are easier to come up with reasons than others, but we are going to come up with at least one totally sincere reason for each team to be excited heading into the 2026 MLB season. This is … hope springs eternal … National League West edition.
Reason for Optimism: NL West Edition
Arizona Diamondbacks: Let Him Ride Off into the Sunset
In a stacked NL West, the Arizona Diamondbacks still have a really talented roster. They have three legit NL MVP candidates in their lineup, and that doesn’t even include the acquisition of an aging star: Nolan Arenado. The Snakes traded for this third baseman and Pedro Pascal doppelganger in the off-season. Nolan’s last few years in St. Louis weren’t great, but they weren’t awful either. He is only 34 and not far removed from an All-Star season in 2022 when he had a 7.9 WAR and finished third in the NL MVP race. Now this 10-time Gold Glover has a chance to revitalize his career in his original division. Plus, he is not expected to carry the offensive load, so the pressure is much less. This is a prime opportunity for Arenado to have a resounding third act of his career and then ride off proudly into the sunset. A motivated and rejuvenated Nolan Arenado is a major reason for optimism if you’re a fan in Arizona.
Colorado Rockies: Oxygen in the Mountain Air
In 2025, the Colorado Rockies finished with the worst record in baseball: 43-119. They also happen to play in the NL West, possibly the deepest division in baseball. Back off from the ledge, Colorado fans. We do have a reason for optimism: an All-Star backstop. Hunter Goodman was the NL Silver Slugger winner at catcher last season with 31 homers, 91 ribbies, 28 doubles, and a .278 batting average. Hitting in between guys that wouldn’t be confused with the ‘27 Yankees, that is very solid production. He could potentially be a foundational piece in this Mile High rebuild. Maybe some youngsters also emerge this season, and then there is real hope for the future in Denver. For now, budding catcher Hunter Goodman is a reason for optimism for the Colorado Rockies.
Los Angeles Dodgers: The Closer I Get to You
There was no lack of reasons for optimism when analyzing the Los Angeles Dodgers. The phrase an embarrassment of riches is an understatement for this NL West monster. Now, the presumptive World Series favorites added maybe the best closer in MLB with Edwin Diaz. Think about the last two seasons for LA … the man on the mound to get the final Fall Classic out was a starting pitcher both times. That shouldn’t be a problem again. This Puerto Rican with the festive entrance music is coming off of another dominant season with the Mets (13.3 SO9, a 1.63 ERA, and an .874 WHIP). Adding this man to the Dodgers roster is like pouring sausage gravy over a bacon sandwich … sorry to the vegetarians. It’s scary to think about how much this move improves the bullpen at Chavez Ravine, and that is yet another reason for optimism in Los Angeles.
San Diego Padres: Name Value
The San Diego Padres always seem to be chasing their bully of an older brother in the NL West. This team has gotten a few shots in with their LA rivals and made the playoffs four times since 2020. Yes, many San Diego fans may feel they are chasing the unreachable star, but this team still has some serious name value in their lineup: Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Jackson Merrill, Jake Cronenworth, and Xander Bogaerts. Most teams would sign up for a top five like that. If those guys just match the back of their baseball cards, the Padres will be in the playoff mix. And as we have seen in the expanded playoff format, by just getting in you have a legit chance. The serious name value in the Padres lineup is still a reason for optimism in San Diego.
San Francisco Giants: Come See About Me
How does a 28-year-old, three-time batting champ last so long in free agency only to get a modest one-year deal? That is the magic trick the San Francisco Giants pulled off with Luis Arraez. The Giants have been about a .500 team the last few years in the loaded NL West, but they have decent pieces in the lineup and strong starting pitching. By acquiring Arraez, they have an infielder with some of the best bat-to-ball skills in baseball and phenomenal K numbers. The knock on him is below average defense and lack of speed. So … he isn’t going to lead the league in WAR, but now fans in the bay get a guy who has never hit lower than .292. My guess is Luis isn’t thrilled about a one-year, 12-million-dollar deal, so he should be even more driven to get a fourth batting crown. This kind-of-quiet signing is a real reason for optimism for San Francisco Giants fans.
Main Photo Credits: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
