NL West

It's not always easy to be optimistic for 2015 when your team finished the previous season with the worst record in MLB.

However, the Arizona Diamondbacks are not a typical last-place-caliber team. With most of the team returning strong, along with several key offseason acquisitions, anything less than an improvement from 2014 would be a disappointment.

Here are three reasons why the D-Backs should be optimistic as the 2015 season rapidly approaches.

As spring training nears a close for MLB teams, the Los Angeles Dodgers can start to focus their attention on Opening Day.

Besides a completely new front office, half of the infield and about 40 percent of the starting rotation will feature new faces, ones the Dodgers have entrusted to carry the team back to the top of the National League West and beyond.

Most people wouldn't identify the San Diego Padres as a rival of the Los Angeles Dodgers, despite their proximity in Southern California.  

The Los Angeles Dodgers have reportedly reached an agreement to sign Cuban second baseman Hector Olivera to a six-year, $62.5 million deal with a $28 million signing bonus.

Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com first reported Tuesday morning that a deal was in place:

Suddenly, a prominent Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander is dealing with a shoulder injury that won't be going away for a while.

But don't worry. It's not that prominent Dodgers lefty. For that matter, this is a situation hardly worth worrying about at all.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Hyun-jin Ryu will begin the 2015 season on the disabled list due to discomfort in his throwing shoulder, according to manager Don Mattingly. 

Continue for updates.

Casey McGehee isn't Pablo Sandoval. He doesn't have a cute animal nickname, and he's never inspired anyone to wear a panda mask (that we know of).

Replacing Sandoval in the hearts and minds of San Francisco Giants fans is an impossible task. He was simply too big and beloved a figure in the Bay Area.

When Troy Tulowitzki is on the field, he is the best at what he does.

If he were on it more often, he would arguably be the game’s brightest superstar. On that, there should be no debate.

As the San Francisco Giants prepare for their regular-season opener, there are still a few roster questions that must be answered. Fortunately, the starting eight position players appear set, even with the injury to Hunter Pence.

When the Los Angeles Dodgers began spring training two weeks ago, most positions featured clear-cut starters who would not be facing much job competition leading up to Opening Day.

The exception—and biggest question mark facing the organization as it prepared to defend its National League West division crown—focused on the opening in center field.