MLB Season Preview: San Diego Padres
With a month to go before Major League Baseball re-opens its doors for training camps, I will preview one team a day for the next month starting in the NL West and ending with the AL East and the Toronto Blue Jays
San Diego Padres
Last Season's Standings: The San Diego Padres went 88-74, good enough to win the NL West Division title. However, it was all for naught as they were knocked out in the NLDS in 4 games by the St. Louis Cardinals.
In: SS Manny Alexander; 3B Geoff Blum; 3B Russell Branyon; CF Mike Cameron; RP Doug Brocail; 2B Marcus Giles (prev. team: Atlanta Braves); RP Justin Hampson (prev. team: Colorado Rockies); SP Greg Maddux (prev. team: LA Dodgers); 2B Todd Walker; C Todd Greene (prev. team: SF Giants); SP Shawn Estes; SS Manny Alexander
Out: 2B Mark Bellhorn (released); SP Dewon Brazelton (new team: Kansas City Royals); RP Alan Embree (new team: Oakland A's); 1B Ryan Klesko (new team: San Francisco Giants); C Mike Piazza (new team: Oakland A's); OF Dave Roberts (new team: San Francisco Giants); SP Woody Williams (new team: Houston Astros); RP Scott Williamson (new team: Baltimore Orioles)
Starting Pitching: Veteran Greg "Mad Dawg" Maddux is the aging ace of this staff at this point, barring any unforeseen trades or signings. Maddux is entering his 21st season in the majors. He'll be a great mentor for youngsters like Jake Peavy, who are looking to build their arsenal. Peavy will be looking for a solid season and redemption after losing his only start in the 2006 postseason, which put his team in an early hole, of which they would never climb out of.. Chris Young looks to have the #3 starter's spot locked up. He went 11-5 with a 3.46 ERA in 31 starts. He'll have to continue that kind of consistency to help the Padres repeat as the West Champs. The final 2 starter's spots will be a duel between rookies Clay Hensley, Mike Thompson and Tim Stauffer. The loser will likely start the '07 campaign in triple A Portland affiliate.
Bullpen: All-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman will once again anchor this bullpen. He should be lights out most of the time he gets the ball in the ninth inning. Last season Scott Linebrink established himself as a solid set-up man. Rookie Cla Meredith is entering what would be his first full season in the majors. He'll be looking to Hoffman as his guide. Scott Cassidy will also be fighting for a spot in the Padres' 'pen. Middle relievers will likely be taken by Doug Brocail, who is aging and is likely a year or two from retirement and injury-prone reliever Scott Strickland. This bullpen is a mix of fresh-faced rookies with little major-league experience, aging veterans and injury-prone, aging pitchers. It will be important that these pithers are ready to learn on the job because they'll likely receive a lot of innings this season.
Catcher: With veteran Mike Piazza gone to the Oakland A's, veteran back-up Josh Bard will get the bulk of the work behind the plate, with sophomore Rod Bowen and Canadian Pete Laforest battling for the back-up job. Bard appeared in quite a few games down the stretch in 2006 to save aging catcher Piazza for the playoffs. He has proven he handles pitchers well, has a fine arm and blocks the plate well. This could be a big test to see how he performs with the #1 job and increased workload. The catcher will hit just ahead of the pitcher in the Padres line-up. Catcher Todd Greene has recently inked a 1-year deal and will be in the mix for the back-up job.
1st baseman: Adrian Gonzalez is a great above-average first baseman on the field and can provide some offence. He should be a great addition to the line-up. Utility infielder Russell Branyon will also be asked to start a handful of games to give Gonzalez some rest. Rookie Paul McAnulty will likely start the season either on the bench or in Portland. Gonzalez should be around the # 6 or 7 spot in the line-up.
2nd Baseman: Veteran Marcus Giles is coming over from having spent his entire career to date with the Atlanta Braves. He'll be looking to better his totals from last year and to bring down his strikeout total, which is not one to cheer about. Giles has remarkable hustle and determination. Staying healthy will be key. Veteran Todd Walker will be accepting a lesser role this season playing back-up to Giles. Utility infielder Geoff Blum can also play 2nd base but will likely serve as SS Khalil Greene's back-up primarily. Giles should be the second man to bat in the Padres line-up.
Shortstop: Greene has turned inro an up-and-coming star with his great defense and ability to turn pretty DP's. He makes consistent contact at the plate but needs to be more patient. His speed also needs to be taken advatage of. Blum is a resilient infielder who can play any infield position except catcher and 1st base. He'll be valuable to this team in giving veterans days off. Greene should hit in the #3 hole
3rd baseman: Rookie Kevin Kouzmanoff is entering his first full season in the majors and will be battling Blum and Branyon for playing time. The Padres may yet fill this position through the few free agents left or a trade. . . stay tuned.
Left Fielder: Jose Cruz Jr. signed a one-year deal to control LF for the Padres. The former Mariners star has been inconsistent in his career, especially out in the field. Has incredible speed that will put him at the top of the line-up card night in-night out. He'll likely be backed up by Terrmel Sledge. Sledge is still learning the game but has the potentional to be the fourth outfelder at this time.
Center Fielder: Speedster Mike Cameron will be the clean-up hitter expected to drive in a lot of runs for this team. Cameron will be looking to improve on his career high in hits and to get back to being a .300 hitter. It's important that Cameron stays healthy all season as the Padres might find themselves having a tough time scoring consistently.
Right Fielder: Brian Giles is a consitent batter, but struggles with the accuracy of his arm in the field. As a result he has a tendency to throw the ball away when making a play to the plate. He does have a tough time against southpaws. Look for Giles to be the #5 hitter on the line-up card.
Season Prediction. The Padres are a young team, especially in the bullpen and will have a rollercoaster season, with some likely disappointments at the start of the season, while pitchers make their mistakes. The offense should be able to hold the Padres in most games. I believe that the Padres will fight to the end but will fal short to three-peat as division Champs, but they'll be in the hunt for the Wildcard. The Padres will be third in the NL West.
San Diego Padres
Last Season's Standings: The San Diego Padres went 88-74, good enough to win the NL West Division title. However, it was all for naught as they were knocked out in the NLDS in 4 games by the St. Louis Cardinals.
In: SS Manny Alexander; 3B Geoff Blum; 3B Russell Branyon; CF Mike Cameron; RP Doug Brocail; 2B Marcus Giles (prev. team: Atlanta Braves); RP Justin Hampson (prev. team: Colorado Rockies); SP Greg Maddux (prev. team: LA Dodgers); 2B Todd Walker; C Todd Greene (prev. team: SF Giants); SP Shawn Estes; SS Manny Alexander
Out: 2B Mark Bellhorn (released); SP Dewon Brazelton (new team: Kansas City Royals); RP Alan Embree (new team: Oakland A's); 1B Ryan Klesko (new team: San Francisco Giants); C Mike Piazza (new team: Oakland A's); OF Dave Roberts (new team: San Francisco Giants); SP Woody Williams (new team: Houston Astros); RP Scott Williamson (new team: Baltimore Orioles)
Starting Pitching: Veteran Greg "Mad Dawg" Maddux is the aging ace of this staff at this point, barring any unforeseen trades or signings. Maddux is entering his 21st season in the majors. He'll be a great mentor for youngsters like Jake Peavy, who are looking to build their arsenal. Peavy will be looking for a solid season and redemption after losing his only start in the 2006 postseason, which put his team in an early hole, of which they would never climb out of.. Chris Young looks to have the #3 starter's spot locked up. He went 11-5 with a 3.46 ERA in 31 starts. He'll have to continue that kind of consistency to help the Padres repeat as the West Champs. The final 2 starter's spots will be a duel between rookies Clay Hensley, Mike Thompson and Tim Stauffer. The loser will likely start the '07 campaign in triple A Portland affiliate.
Bullpen: All-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman will once again anchor this bullpen. He should be lights out most of the time he gets the ball in the ninth inning. Last season Scott Linebrink established himself as a solid set-up man. Rookie Cla Meredith is entering what would be his first full season in the majors. He'll be looking to Hoffman as his guide. Scott Cassidy will also be fighting for a spot in the Padres' 'pen. Middle relievers will likely be taken by Doug Brocail, who is aging and is likely a year or two from retirement and injury-prone reliever Scott Strickland. This bullpen is a mix of fresh-faced rookies with little major-league experience, aging veterans and injury-prone, aging pitchers. It will be important that these pithers are ready to learn on the job because they'll likely receive a lot of innings this season.
Catcher: With veteran Mike Piazza gone to the Oakland A's, veteran back-up Josh Bard will get the bulk of the work behind the plate, with sophomore Rod Bowen and Canadian Pete Laforest battling for the back-up job. Bard appeared in quite a few games down the stretch in 2006 to save aging catcher Piazza for the playoffs. He has proven he handles pitchers well, has a fine arm and blocks the plate well. This could be a big test to see how he performs with the #1 job and increased workload. The catcher will hit just ahead of the pitcher in the Padres line-up. Catcher Todd Greene has recently inked a 1-year deal and will be in the mix for the back-up job.
1st baseman: Adrian Gonzalez is a great above-average first baseman on the field and can provide some offence. He should be a great addition to the line-up. Utility infielder Russell Branyon will also be asked to start a handful of games to give Gonzalez some rest. Rookie Paul McAnulty will likely start the season either on the bench or in Portland. Gonzalez should be around the # 6 or 7 spot in the line-up.
2nd Baseman: Veteran Marcus Giles is coming over from having spent his entire career to date with the Atlanta Braves. He'll be looking to better his totals from last year and to bring down his strikeout total, which is not one to cheer about. Giles has remarkable hustle and determination. Staying healthy will be key. Veteran Todd Walker will be accepting a lesser role this season playing back-up to Giles. Utility infielder Geoff Blum can also play 2nd base but will likely serve as SS Khalil Greene's back-up primarily. Giles should be the second man to bat in the Padres line-up.
Shortstop: Greene has turned inro an up-and-coming star with his great defense and ability to turn pretty DP's. He makes consistent contact at the plate but needs to be more patient. His speed also needs to be taken advatage of. Blum is a resilient infielder who can play any infield position except catcher and 1st base. He'll be valuable to this team in giving veterans days off. Greene should hit in the #3 hole
3rd baseman: Rookie Kevin Kouzmanoff is entering his first full season in the majors and will be battling Blum and Branyon for playing time. The Padres may yet fill this position through the few free agents left or a trade. . . stay tuned.
Left Fielder: Jose Cruz Jr. signed a one-year deal to control LF for the Padres. The former Mariners star has been inconsistent in his career, especially out in the field. Has incredible speed that will put him at the top of the line-up card night in-night out. He'll likely be backed up by Terrmel Sledge. Sledge is still learning the game but has the potentional to be the fourth outfelder at this time.
Center Fielder: Speedster Mike Cameron will be the clean-up hitter expected to drive in a lot of runs for this team. Cameron will be looking to improve on his career high in hits and to get back to being a .300 hitter. It's important that Cameron stays healthy all season as the Padres might find themselves having a tough time scoring consistently.
Right Fielder: Brian Giles is a consitent batter, but struggles with the accuracy of his arm in the field. As a result he has a tendency to throw the ball away when making a play to the plate. He does have a tough time against southpaws. Look for Giles to be the #5 hitter on the line-up card.
Season Prediction. The Padres are a young team, especially in the bullpen and will have a rollercoaster season, with some likely disappointments at the start of the season, while pitchers make their mistakes. The offense should be able to hold the Padres in most games. I believe that the Padres will fight to the end but will fal short to three-peat as division Champs, but they'll be in the hunt for the Wildcard. The Padres will be third in the NL West.
posted by opinionator777 at 5:05 PM
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