The Arizona Diamondbacks added Madison Bumgarner, Starling Marte and Kole Calhoun. They look improved from last season, when they won 85 games. The Colorado Rockies have avoided major-league transactions, but apparently believe they can stun the industry. The San Francisco Giants are submerged in a rebuilding effort. The Los Angeles Dodgers did not need more star power in order to claim another division crown. But they went and got it, anyway.



And the Padres? The Dodgers’ acquisition of Mookie Betts obscures San Diego’s path to contention in the National League West. Before the outfielder was traded, the Padres were looking at a best-case scenario of competing for a wild-card berth. That has not changed. But the Dodgers have gotten better. And the Diamondbacks have gotten better.



The Padres ostensibly have improved, but they will need more to become serious factors. In the wake of the Betts saga, a major trade probably will not occur until after the season...