Play Ball!
Apr. 6th, 2015 08:52 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
stoutfellowOn a happier note, today is Opening Day, and my beloved Padres appear set to make a splash.
MLB Trade Rumors has a poll going as to which team had the best offseason, and the Padres are far in front, with nearly a majority of votes cast. I'm still a bit hesitant about "best", but "most exciting", certainly. Last night's acquisition of Craig Kimbrel was completely unexpected, and gives the Padres easily the best bullpen in the major leagues. Their starting rotation - Shields, Ross, Cashner, Kennedy, and Morrow - can bear comparison with any other. It's not quite as good as the Dodgers or Nationals rotations, but it's not far behind. Offensively, barring injuries, they're a force to be reckoned with - Kemp, J. Upton, and Myers to start with, plus possible rebounds from Norris, Alonso, Gyorko, and Middlebrook. Defense... :wince: They could be less than stellar in the outfield, and Norris is not the pitch-framer that Grandal and Rivera both were. Shortstop is still a weak spot, as well.
Overall? I think they'll definitely be in the hunt for a playoff spot, and if the EBE stumbles they could charge all the way to a division title. The playoffs themselves are a crapshoot, and I think the Padres would have as good a chance as anyone to win the pennant if they get in.
I'm pegging them at about 90 wins. :crosses fingers:
MLB Trade Rumors has a poll going as to which team had the best offseason, and the Padres are far in front, with nearly a majority of votes cast. I'm still a bit hesitant about "best", but "most exciting", certainly. Last night's acquisition of Craig Kimbrel was completely unexpected, and gives the Padres easily the best bullpen in the major leagues. Their starting rotation - Shields, Ross, Cashner, Kennedy, and Morrow - can bear comparison with any other. It's not quite as good as the Dodgers or Nationals rotations, but it's not far behind. Offensively, barring injuries, they're a force to be reckoned with - Kemp, J. Upton, and Myers to start with, plus possible rebounds from Norris, Alonso, Gyorko, and Middlebrook. Defense... :wince: They could be less than stellar in the outfield, and Norris is not the pitch-framer that Grandal and Rivera both were. Shortstop is still a weak spot, as well.
Overall? I think they'll definitely be in the hunt for a playoff spot, and if the EBE stumbles they could charge all the way to a division title. The playoffs themselves are a crapshoot, and I think the Padres would have as good a chance as anyone to win the pennant if they get in.
I'm pegging them at about 90 wins. :crosses fingers:
