Part 7/10:
The competitiveness of the National League West, particularly with teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks making significant advances, complicates the situation. As Saunders puts it, a return to competitiveness may not come in 2025, with 2026 being a more realistic target for the Rockies to even flirt with a .500 season or playoff contention. The track record of recent years suggests that climbing out of the basement of the division will be no small feat.