Dodgers manager offers verdict on NL West competition in light of Blake Snell, Willy Adames, Corbin Burnes' cumulative $574,000,000 contracts

The Los Angeles Dodgers are in a heavily-stacked National League West. Since 2017, the NL West has seen five different National League pennant winners, highlighting the competitive edge.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stopped by on the most recent episode of the "Dodgers Territory podcast." The two-time World Series-winning skipper discussed the recent acquisitions in the division—Blake Snell to the Dodgers, Willy Adames to the San Francisco Giants and Corbin Burnes to the Arizona Diamondbacks with the combined contract value reaching a staggering $574 million.

"I do think it's the "NL Best", I like that name. I have to use that one more often," said Roberts. (26:00 onwards)

Roberts was alluding to the tag given to the division "NL Best" as it boasts perhaps the biggest collection of talent in a division.

He then noted that the Giants are seemingly trying to get back to their roots when it comes to their free agency signing. Roberts said:

"With Buster [Posey] taking over the reins [as the head of baseball operations], you can start to see that they're trying to get back to who they were when they won those three championships [in the early 2010s]."

San Francisco has built a reputation around the league as an organization that nurtures talent through their system rather than handing out big money to high-profile names.

With Adames's signing, they forked out the biggest contract in franchise history when they signed him to a seven-year, $182 million deal. Roberts added:

"Willy [Adames] is a player that a lot of people coveted. They will continue to get better and be a thorn in our side for sure."

Dodgers skipper lauds Diamondbacks move for Corbin Burnes

Dave Roberts praised the Arizona Diamondbacks' front office for signing Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes to a six-year, $210 million deal amid competition from several clubs.

"The Diamondbacks certainly getting [Corbin] Burnes to go along with with [Zac] Gallen, Merrill Kelly and [Brandon] Pfaadt makes them very formidable."

Certainly an underdog since its founding, the Diamondbacks already have a World Series title and two NL pennants to their name—with the latest being a surprise run to the 2023 World Series.