Florio Fact: Everth Cabrera led the NL in stolen bases. Betcha didn't know that, huh? Today we examine the San Diego Padres. I was going to do the Padres eventually, but I decided to do them first in the NL West because my professor, who is a Padres fan for some reason, begged me to. (I'm kidding about the beg part, but he is a Padres fan - he's from the San Diego area, so its okay). The NL West is a tricky division: its one of those divisions which one of the bad teams can sneak up in the second half of the year and push for the division title. I'm gonna say that whoever wins the West is the only team which makes the post season. Unfortunately, the Padres will not be making the post season this year. Now, the team is in better shape for long-term success. Padres GM Josh Byrnes, and predecessor Jed Hoyer assembled a great group of youngsters who have immense potential. Unfortunately, there are too many holes for a run this year. Let's take a look....
Starting Lineup
SS Everth Cabrera
CF Cameron Maybin
3B Chase Headley
LF Carlos Quentin
1B Yonder Alonso
2B Jedd Gyorko
RF Will Venable
C Nick Hundley
Cabrera and Maybin are not on base machines, but they share one common trait: they're fast. In order to keep their spots in the lineup, they need to up their batting averages. I have a tough time believing that Headley will replicate his 2012 season, but he had a monster second half. A healthy Quentin and a years worth of seasoning (and more power production) from Alonso will help. Gyorko wins the 2B job from Logan Forsythe. Forsythe did nothing to lose it, but Gyorko can hit. There's a reason the Padres moved him there. Venable put together a halfway decent 2012 season and Hundley catches until Yasmani Grandal returns from suspension. I'm calling this lineup "untapped potential." Can hit, but needs to show it.
Starting Rotation
SP Clayton Richard
SP Edinson Volquez
SP Jason Marquis
SP Eric Stults
SP Freddy Garcia
As of right now, I'm predicting this is the rotation. Richard and Volquez are solid veterans. They eat innings, and can give you a combined ERA around 4. The veterans 3-5 are just place keepers, particularly until Cory Luebke gets back - and Andrew Cashner won't be out long, either. Hopefully they give the youngsters a chance instead because I'm liking the 2014 rotation much better:
SP Clayton Richard
SP Edinson Volquez
SP Cory Luebke
SP Andrew Cashner
SP Casey Kelly
Bullpen
CL Huston Street
SU Luke Gregerson
SU Dale Thayer
SU Brad Boxberger
LHS Joe Thatcher
I'm going to guess that Manager Bud Black will leave a lot of open competition for a few bullpen spots, but these 5 are near guarantees. No worries with Street or Gregerson and Thayer did well as well. Boxberger did well in coming over in the Latos trade and Thatcher is the LHS. Bullpens around the league are pretty solid: this one is too.
I'm predicting a 4th place finish for the Padres. It's not so much that the team is bad, the other teams outside of Colorado are better. If the pitching staff comes through in 2014, the Padres are a big sleeper pick, but 2013 offers more of the last two seasons: rebuilding in mediocrity. Expect around 75 wins for this team.
No comments:
Post a Comment