The Los Angeles Dodgers might have been the best in the West, but the San Francisco Giants were the last team standing when the smoke cleared.  Will either team win the division in 2015 or can the vastly improved San Diego Padres turn their fortunes around in one season? TSN.ca previews the National League West.

Los Angeles Dodgers (94-68, 1st in NL West)

Andrew Friedman was last seen helping the Tampa Bay Rays turn a financial disadvantage to years of on-field success, but now he’s stepping into the big money district with a roster full of talented players.

Clayton KershawStaff ace Clayton Kershaw captured both the Cy Young Award and the MVP Award after posting a 21-3 record with a 1.77 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 239 strikeouts in 198 1/3 innings. He has been as close to unhittable as a pitcher has been over the last four seasons, leading the league in ERA for each year since 2011.

Behind Kershaw, the Dodgers rotation boasts Zack Greinke who would be a number one on almost any other staff in the Major Leagues.

As far as their offence is concerned, the middle of the order will be anchored by outfielder Yasiel Puig one of the most exciting, young players in the league. In just 252 regular season games, the Cuban-born Puig has shown that he can handle both the bat and the glove.

The two-time defending division champions have added Jimmy Rollins, Yasmani Grandal and Howie Kendrick, three veterans that could all be difference makers, especially down the stretch in a playoff race.

The bullpen will be a concern heading into the season as lights out closer Kenley Jansen will start the season on the DL with no real indication of when he will return to the lineup.

With the amount of money being spread around by the Dodgers, even a deep playoff run will not be enough, this team is expected by both ownership and their fan base to lift the trophy at the end of the season.

In: P Brett Anderson (free agent - COL), P Brandon Beachy (free agent - ATL), C Yasmani Grandal (trade - SD), P Chris Hatcher (trade - MIA), IF Enrique Hernandez (trade - MIA), Howie Kendrick (trade - LAA), P Brandon McCarthy (free agent - NYY), P Dustin McGowan (free agent - TOR), Joel Peralta (trade - TB), SS Jimmy Rollins (trade - PHI), P Joe Wieland (trade - SD).

Out: P Jose Dominguez (trade - TB), C Tim Federowicz (trade - SD), Dee Gordon (trade - MIA), P Dan Haren (trade - MIA), OF Matt Kemp (trade - SD), Hanley Ramirez (free agent - BOS), IF Miguel Rojas (trade - MIA).

San Francisco Giants (88-74, 2nd in NL West)

Posey, Bumgarner celebrateIncredibly, this is the third time in six years that the San Francisco Giants enter the season as defending champions. If there is any bright side for the other 29 teams in the league and especially the other four in the NL West, they have failed to repeat the previous two times.

While the threat of big changes hung over the champions as they entered the offseason, losing Pablo Sandoval to the Boston Red Sox and adding Nori Aoki and Casey McGehee are the only headline moves they made following their World Series triumph.

Coming off one of the greatest postseason performances of all-time, starter Madison Bumgarner is poised to terrorize the league every fifth day. His 18-10 record and 2.98 ERA during the season would have had a real chance at leading the league if Clayton Kershaw hadn’t posted a Cy Young/MVP-level season.

Starter Matt Cain could be a key as he tries to recover from elbow surgery and a subpar half season he posted before two injures shut him down for the year. If he can shake off the struggles that have seen him register a 10-17 record and a plus 4.00 ERA over the last two years, the sky is the limit for the Giants.

Catcher Buster Posey continues to shine both offensively and defensively and has shown durability, playing over 140 games each year since 2011, when he suffered a season ending injury in a home plate collision.

The Giants had to come from the Wild Card position last year to win the title after suffering a mid-season swoon that cost them the division. If they can avoid this year they could be the team to beat once again in the NL West.

IN: P Nori Aoki (free agent - KC), Casey McGehee (trade - MIA).

OUT: OF Michael Morse (free agent - MIA), Pablo Sandoval (free agent - BOS), 2B Dan Uggla (free agent - WSH).

San Diego Padres (77-85, 3rd in NL West)

Four winning seasons and two playoff appearances are all the Padres have managed to muster since they were swept out of the World Series by the New York Yankees in 1998.

That’s why you’ll forgive the fans in the Gaslamp District if they are a little more than enthusiastic about the offseason that has been put together by general manager A.J. Preller, his first on the job since being hired in August.

 The Padres produced a paltry 535 runs last season but should see a major offensive uptick thanks to the additions of Justin Upton, Wil Myers, Derek Norris and Matt Kemp, all of whom should move right into the starting lineup. Add to that hold overs such as Jedd Gyorko, Yonder Alonso and Cameron Maybin and the Padres should have power and speed to burn.

James ShieldsWhile they added more bats than arms, their biggest catch of the offseason was starter James Shields, joining a rotation that boasts power arms like Andrew Casher and Tyson Ross as well as veteran Ian Kennedy. With hard-throwing Brandon Morrow and Josh Johnson also on the roster, they could have depth to count on if they encounter injuries.

Baseball history is littered with teams that have tried to spend their way out of the basement and into the playoffs in one offseason, only to watch the entire plan fail, but the Padres have a solid mix of youth and skill to perhaps be the exception instead of the rule.

IN: IF Clint Barmes (free agent - PIT), C Tim Federowicz (trade - LAD), P Shawn Kelley (trade - NYY), OF Matt Kemp (trade - LAD), P Brandon Maurer (trade - SEA), Will Middlebrooks (trade - BOS), P Brandon Morrow (free agent - TOR), OF Wil Myers (trade - TB), C Derek Norris (trade - OAK), P James Shields (free agent - KC), OF Justin Upton (trade - ATL).

OUT: SS Everth Cabrera (free agent - BAL), C Yasmani Grandal (trade - LAD), P Jesse Hahn (trade - OAK), C Ryan Hanigan (trade - BOS), IF Jace Peterson (trade - ATL), C Rene Rivera (trade - TB), OF Seth Smith (trade - SEA), P Tim Stauffer (free agent - MIN), P Joe Wieland (trade - LAD).

Colorado Rockies (66-96, 4th NL West)

Injuries cost the Rockies both Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez last season, two talented players that will be very important to any success the team can find going forward.

Despite the fact that the Rockies scored 755 runs last season, third highest total in the league, they still finished the season -63 in differential after giving up an MLB-worst 818 runs.

Justin MorneauIn the absence of his talented teammates, Canadian Justin Morneau posted a strong bounce-back season that saw him total his highest RBI number since 2009. If he can duplicate that success, it will help the Rockies find a firm base to try to improve their fortunes.

Having to deal with the Dodgers, Giants and Padres is going to be no easy task this season but with a thin pitching staff, no real threats after the big two players in their lineup and no marquee arms in the pen, the Rockies are going to be in a fight to stay off the bottom of the NL West.

If they have to deal with injuries, they could fall hard into a 100-loss season.

IN: P John Axford (free agent - PIT), 2B Daniel Descalso (free agent - STL), P David Hale (trade - ATL), C Nick Hundley (free agent - BAL), P Kyle Kendrick (free agent - PHI).

OUT: P Brett Anderson (free agent - LAD), P Matt Belisle (free agent - STL), OF Michael Cuddyer (free agent - NYM).

Arizona Diamondbacks (64-98, 5th in NL West)

Almost losing 100 games and bringing up the rear in the division is the perfect time to press the re-set button and the Diamondbacks have done exactly that heading into the 2015 season.

Dave Stewart is now in place as general manager and with new chief baseball officer Tony La Russa, they will have the task of building a team to climb one of the most competitive divisions in baseball.

Paul GoldschmidtThe lineup will revolve around the big bat of first baseman Paul Goldschmidt who suffered a broken hand in August of last year and was lost for the remainder of the season. He led the NL in both homers and RBIs in 2013 with 36 and 125 and with outfielder Mark Trumbo behind him, they will essentially be the engine that drives the Diamondbacks.

Starter Jeremy Hellickson arrives from Tampa Bay and should slot right into the top of the rotation. He will be supported by the surgically repaired arms of Rubby De La Rosa (2012) and Patrick Corbin (2014).

Closer Addison Reed is one of the most dependable ninth inning men in the league and should be reliable to convert any leads that they are able to get to him. That will be the tough part for a team that will struggle to find victories in what could turn out to be a long season.

IN: P Rubby De La Rosa (trade - BOS), P Jeremy Hellickson (trade - TB), P Robbie Ray (trade - DET), OF Yasmany Tomas (free agent), P Allen Webster (trade - BOS).

OUT: SS Didi Gregorius (trade - NYY), P Wade Miley (trade - BOS), C Miguel Montero (trade - CHC), P Zeke Spruill (trade - BOS).