One spring training prediction for every NL West team

With spring training open, let's gaze into the crystal ball in the NL West. Here is a prediction for every team in the division:

Arizona Diamondbacks | A closer (or two) will come from within

GM Mike Hazen isn't shy about discussing his desire to add a closer through free agency or trade this offseason. However, all the potential closers on Arizona's list have gone to other teams, leaving the Diamondbacks to consider internal options with Paul Sewald (team-leading 16 saves last season) now with the Cleveland Guardians.

In all, 10 players registered a save last season for Arizona, so the closer-by-committee tactic has already worked for manager Torey Lovullo. Kevin Ginkel and A.J. Puk loom as potential names if the Diamondbacks zero in on one person as the main closer.

Colorado Rockies | Chase Dollander will push for an Opening Day spot on roster

The ninth overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft has generated plenty of buzz, and it's expected that right-hander Dollander (if he stays healthy) will make his MLB debut sometime in 2025.

However, could that debut come earlier than expected? Colorado's rotation is seemingly already set, but if there is an opening because of injury, Dollander could skip past Triple-A and start the season with the Rockies. That would give Colorado fans something to watch early in a season in which Colorado is focused on youth and looking to avoid its third consecutive 100-loss season.

Los Angeles Dodgers | Dave Roberts will sign a new contract

After leading his team to a World Series title last year, Roberts enters 2025 in the final year of a three-year contract. With so much talent on the roster and money seemingly not much of an object for the Dodgers, why have any kind of distraction looming over the team heading into the season opener against the Chicago Cubs in Japan on March 18?

Roberts has been a popular punching bag for Dodgers fans in the past, but he showed his worth to the franchise in the postseason. Signing Roberts will eliminate a storyline and show the team is committed to stability as much as star power.

San Diego Padres | Connor Joe will gain the edge in left field

The Padres lost outfielder Jurickson Profar to the Atlanta Braves in free agency, so left field is a bit of an enigma for San Diego. Joe and Jason Heyward are expected to form a platoon in left for the Padres, but don't be surprised if Joe becomes the primary left fielder this spring.

Heyward struggled last season with the Dodgers and Houston Astros, combining to slash .211/.288/.412, so expectations may be low for him heading into spring. That leaves an opening for Joe, a cancer survivor, to potentially take over in Profar's absence.

San Francisco Giants | Camilo Doval will lose the closer job

Doval led the National League with 39 saves in 2023, but the 27-year-old right-hander struggled last season. He led the Giants with 23 saves, but his ERA skyrocketed from 2023's 2.93 to 4.88.

Doval had just three combined saves in August and September last year as Ryan Walker grabbed the closer role, notching 10 saves during that same period. Consider that a sign Doval's time finishing games is closing, a trend that will continue in spring training as Walker cements himself as the go-to option to close.