The Padres had a quiet winter in comparison with their division rivals. San Diego noticed key gamers like Tanner Scott, Ha-Seong Kim, and Jurickson Profar depart in free company. They missed out to the hated Dodgers for Roki Sasaki, and the one important signing San Diego made was starter Nick Pivetta. Different gamers, like Dylan Stop and Michael King, have been additionally concerned in commerce rumors. Nonetheless, the Padres nonetheless have loads of expertise on their roster and stay a postseason-caliber crew.
A Quiet Offseason
The Nationwide League West division goes to be a lot more durable this season. The Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks, and San Francisco Giants all made strikes this offseason. Nonetheless, compared to these groups, the San Diego Padres had a a lot quieter offseason. The one free agent signing they made was former Pink Sox beginning pitcher Nick Pivetta. The quieter offseason could also be linked to the continued possession dispute involving the late Pete Seidler’s household. In the meantime, all-stars Jurickson Profar, Tanner Scott, and defensive specialist Ha-Seong Kim have been allowed to depart as free brokers. Whereas they have been finalists for Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki, they finally misplaced out to their arch-rival, the Dodgers.
An Offense That Can Nonetheless Put Up Heaps Of Runs
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Apart from shedding Ha-Seong Kim and Jurickson Profar, a lot of the Padres’ lineup is returning this season. Final season, San Diego averaged 4.69 runs per sport, the sixth most within the Nationwide League. The one groups that averaged extra runs than the Padres have been the Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Phillies, Brewers, and Mets. Fernando Tatis Jr., Luis Arraez, and Jackson Merrill have been all all-stars final 12 months. Merrill completed second within the NL Rookie of the 12 months voting behind Pittsburgh Pirates famous person beginning pitcher Paul Skenes. When wholesome, Manny Machado maintains his standing as an all-star caliber participant. Regardless of the Padres not making any exterior additions to their lineup, this offense continues to be constructed to attain.
Uncertainty In The Beginning Rotation
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Key beginning pitchers Dylan Stop and Michael King have been the topic of commerce rumors all through the offseason. Nonetheless, each gamers will nonetheless don the white, brown, and gold this season. They’ll be relied upon closely with Joe Musgrove anticipated to overlook the season whereas recovering from Tommy John surgical procedure. Yu Darvish is coping with elbow irritation, and no timeline has been established relating to his return. Whereas the crew signed heavy strikeout veteran Nick Pivetta, he was inconsistent within the Pink Sox rotation. The again of the rotation additionally presents query marks. Matt Waldron was initially favored to anchor it, however he’s been coping with an indirect harm. Kyle Hart was introduced over from Korea, Randy Vasquez struggled final season, and Stephen Kolek pitched primarily out of the bullpen.
The Bullpen Is Nonetheless Deep
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Whereas San Diego misplaced Tanner Scott, their bullpen stays very deep. As a unit, the Padres compiled an ERA of three.78. The one groups that averaged fewer earned runs than the Friars have been the Brewers, Dodgers, and Cardinals. Nearer Robert Suarez had a profession 12 months in 2024 and was even an all-star. Jeremiah Estrada proved to be a diamond within the tough with an ERA of two.95 and a 37.3% strikeout price. Adrian Morejon loved the perfect 12 months of his profession in 2024. Japanese import Yuki Matsui confirmed promise in his first MLB season. Commerce deadline acquisition Jason Adam recorded an ERA of simply 1.01 in 27 video games down the stretch final season. With this degree of bullpen depth, San Diego has loads of causes to really feel assured on the finish of a sport.
The Padres Can Simply Overtake The Mets
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Whereas the NL West shall be troublesome to overcome, San Diego can actually snag a wild card spot. The one different surefire playoff groups on paper are the Diamondbacks and Phillies. Whereas the Mets are additionally a well-liked postseason decide, San Diego is a a lot stronger crew. Not like New York, the Padres’ pitching workers isn’t stuffed with liabilities, and their lineup is filled with succesful contributors.
Don’t Sleep On The Padres
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The Padres discovered themselves in an analogous scenario final offseason after they misplaced a number of key gamers. Nonetheless, they nonetheless made it to the postseason and got here inside a sport of eliminating the Dodgers within the NLDS. Whereas the beginning rotation has some uncertainties, the Friars’ offense can nonetheless generate loads of runs, and their bullpen is among the many deepest within the Nationwide League. It could be unwise to depend out the San Diego Padres in 2025.
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