[情報] Sporting News 2009 Padres preview
San Diego Padres preview
Their lineup lacks power, their pitching is thin and their payroll has been
slashed. After an offseason when the big news was an impending change in
ownership, the mishandled departure of the franchise's most popular player and
a failed trade of the team's ace, life in San Diego isn't so sunny for the
Padres.
THREE QUESTIONS
1. Who are these guys?
Even die-hard Padres fans will need a scorecard to follow this team. The
bullpen should be in constant flux as general manager Kevin Towers picks over
other teams' discards. The Padres' biggest star is righthander Jake Peavy, and
he nearly was traded this offseason (on the heels of all-time saves leader
Trevor Hoffman leaving in free agency). Despite having so many unproven players
in the lineup, San Diego didn't bring in much veteran help because the
impending sale of the club meant a reduced payroll. Of the players in the
projected starting lineup, only two (Chase Headley, Nick Hundley) were drafted
by the Padres. Headley, drafted as a third baseman, has been forced to learn
left field because Kevin Kouzmanoff already is at third. Hundley isn't
considered an everyday catcher, but the Padres don't have much else at the
position.
2. Who's in the rotation?
The Padres used 14 starters last season, but only three -- Peavy, Chris Young
and Cha Seung Baek (4.62 ERA in 21 starts in 2008) -- are in line to return to
the rotation. The auditions for the fourth and fifth spots likely will continue
into the spring. Kevin Correira is a front-runner for one job, mainly because
he has the most experience among the candidates (46 career starts). Josh Greer
pitched well in a September call-up but struggled this spring and was sent
down. Days after the Nationals dumped oft-injured Shawn Hill, the Padres signed
him with the hope he might win a job. Walter Silva and Cesar Ramos -- neither
of whom has started a game in the majors -- remain in the fifth-starter
competition.
3. How's the future look?
The Padres went to the World Series for the first time and moved into a new
ballpark in the 15 years since John Moores became majority owner. But a divorce
led to the Moores putting the team on the market. They reached a preliminary
agreement in February to sell to a group led by Jeff Moorad, the former player
agent and CEO/part-owner of the Diamondbacks. On Thursday, Moorad's group
bought the first one-third of the team from Moores. However, Moorad has
disclosed little about his plans for the club. His first decision regarding
personnel likely will revolve around Peavy, who nearly was traded to the Cubs
during the offseason. If Moorad continues to dump salary -- the Padres' payroll
is expected to be slashed to $40-$45 million -- Peavy is a good bet to be
dealt.
PROJECTED LINEUP
1. CF Jody Gerut.
Likely will cede leadoff spot to Eckstein vs. lefties.
2. 2B David Eckstein.
Has slipped since being World Series MVP with Cardinals in 2006.
3. RF Brian Giles.
Homer totals have dropped each of past three seasons.
4. 1B Adrian Gonzalez.
Hit 22 of 36 HRs on road last season; hit .308 on road, .247 at home.
5. 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff.
In 668 plate appearances in '08, had same number of homers (23) as walks.
6. LF Chase Headley.
Hit .269 with nine HRs in 331 at-bats in rookie season.
7. C Nick Hundley.
The 25-year-old gets starting job by default.
8. SS: Luis Rodriguez.
Solid defender and switch hitter replaces Khalil Greene.
PROJECTED ROTATION
1. RHP Jake Peavy.
Former Cy Young winner posted 2.85 ERA in 27 starts last season.
2. RHP Chris Young.
Had strong September (3-2, 2.38 ERA) after time on D.L.
(broken nose, strained forearm).
3. RHP Cha Seung Baek.
Might be weakest No. 3 starter in the majors.
4. RHP Kevin Correia.
Giants gave up on him after 6.05 ERA in '08.
5. RHP Shawn Hill.
Dumped by the Nationals, will compete for No. 5 job.
PROJECTED CLOSER
RHP Heath Bell.
With two career saves, needs only 552 more to catch Hoffman,
who now is in Milwaukee.
GRADES
Offense: F. The Padres finished last in the majors in runs and OBP last season,
and not much better in homers or average. Only two teams struck out more often.
For a team without much power that plays in a spacious ballpark, the Padres
need to run more; their 36 stolen bases last season were the fewest by any team
since the 2005 A's (31).
Pitching C. The drop-off after the top two starters is as big as Young (6-10)
is tall. Building a bullpen once was Towers' specialty. Not this year. The
bullpen is even more unsettled than the rotation, with Bell and sidewinder Cla
Meredith the only relievers with settled roles.
Bench: D. When the lineup includes a catcher, shortstop, second baseman and
center fielder who would be backups on most teams, the bench is going to be
thin. Edgar Gonzalez and Scott Hairston will get plenty of at-bats. Veteran
Cliff Floyd was signed to pinch hit and DH in interleague games.
Manager: B. Bud Black is a good baseball man who came within one out of putting
the Padres in the playoffs in his first season (2007). But not even Casey
Stengel would not be able to coax a winning record from this roster. Black's
low-key style should help the team through a long season.
Sporting News prediction: Once the new ownership is firmly in place, the Padres
will be able to resume the business of putting together a winning team. But
it's too late for much to happen this season. Another last-place finish appears
likely. The bigger question is whether San Diego can avoid 100 losses.
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