It’s been a fairly unremarkable offseason for the San Diego Padres as they again look to challenge the Los Angeles Dodgers for the National League West crown in 2026. With teams across the division making significant changes, here’s how I predict the NL West will look by the season's end:

The Rockies were by far the worst product in baseball last year, winning just 43 games. Their outlook doesn’t look much better in 2026, with so few significant moves that will inspire any meaningful change. They did add utility man Willi Castro, pitcher Michael Lorenzen, and outfielder Jake McCarthy, who will be solid contributors for Colorado this year.

The Rockies will be without infielders Michael Toglia and Orlando Arcia, although they both were not great in a Rockies uniform anyway. No matter what type of offseason the Rockies had, the result would have been the same.

Prediction: Fifth place

The Giants finished 2025 at .500 and just missed out on a Wild Card spot. Inhopes of postseason baseball in 2026, they brought in outfielder Harrison Bader, infielder Luis Arraez, and starters Tyler Mahle and Adrian Houser.

They still have key players from last year’s roster in free agency, such as first baseman Wilmer Flores and pitchers Joey Lucchesi and Justin Verlander. Though they added some valuable players, the ceiling for this San Francisco team doesn’t seem to be high enough to compete in the NL West again in 2026.

Prediction: Fourth place

The Diamondbacks still have their top starter, Zac Gallen, in free agency, though he’s unlikely to be in D-Backs threads in 2026. Still, I can see them jumping over the Giants in the division next season after their additions. They signed starters Merrill Kelly and Mike Soroka to deals while also bringing in first baseman Carlos Santana. Their biggest move, however, was trading for third baseman Nolan Arenado.

Despite their additions, Arizona didn't lose much this winter, at least until Gallen officially leaves. Outfielder Jake McCarthy, infielder Blaze Alexander, and reliever Kyle Backhus are the three players who have left. They all played a decent amount of games last season, but the D-Backs’ additions are likely to make up for them in 2026.

Prediction: Third place

San Diego has been limited in their ability this winter due to financial reasons, but they still managed to bring back starting pitcher Michael King on a three-year deal and sign infielders Sung-Mun Song and Miguel Andujar.

It doesn’t quite make up for their losses of starting pitcher Dylan Cease, first basemen Luis Arraez and Ryan O’Hearn, and reliever Robert Suarez, but it should be enough to keep them afloat in the NL West, even if they see a decrease in their win total under first-time manager Craig Stammen.

Prediction: Second place

The Dodgers are coming off back-to-back World Series wins, and they only got better this offseason. They signed the best closer and outfielder in this year’s free agency class, Edwin Diaz and Kyle Tucker.

They still have several players from the 2025 roster that have yet to strike deals, but even if none return to Los Angeles for 2026, the Dodgers are still far and away the best team in the division. The race for the NL West crown in 2026 may not be as close as years past.

Prediction: First place