2010 San Diego Padres Spring Training Preview

2009 was a tough year for fans of the San Diego Padres, first they had to get used to not seeing Trevor Hoffman close games and then their ace, Jake Peavy, got traded to the Chicago White Sox mid-season. The Padres picked up four young arms in the Peavy deal all in different stages of their development. Of the four Clayton Richard is probably the only one that will have an impact in 2010. The question becomes will the Padres as a whole make an impact in the National League West.

The biggest news of the off season may be a move San Diego didn't make. There was lots of talk about sending power hitting first baseman Adrian Gonzalez to the Boston Red Sox, but a deal never materialized. New general manager Jed Hoyer, former assistant GM with the Red Sox, has resisted dealing his biggest chip, but Gonzalez will probably be dealt by the 2010 trading deadline on August 1. One deal the Padres did make was sending third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff to the Oakland A's, getting center fielder Scott Hairston in return. Hairston popped 17 home runs last season. Scott Hairston will be joined in San Diego by his brother Jerry Hairston Jr. who will be a back up in just about every position, except catcher and pitcher. Jerry picked up a World Series ring in 2009 coming off the bench for the New York Yankees. Long time Padre outfielder Brian Giles has moved on to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Giles had patrolled right field for the Padres since 2003, but never really put up the numbers he had when he was with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

There is little doubt that Adrian Gonzalez is the key to San Diego's offense. Despite playing at the notoriously pitcher friendly Petco Park, Gonzalez has managed to swat at least 30 home runs each of the last three seasons. The question remains who will be able to protect Gonzalez in the batting order? Left fielder Kyle Banks has the power to fill the role, but at just 23 years old it might be a huge burden to throw on the youngster's shoulders. The rest of the lineup is serviceable at best with the likes of David Eckstein, Nick Hundley, Everth Cabrera, Chase Headley, and Will Venable.

The starting rotation is a good, not great, one with Chris Young coming off of a shoulder injury. Kevin Correia had a solid 2009 season posting 12 wins. Free agent Jon Garland will hold down the third spot and eat up some innings if nothing else. While Clayton Richard will try to build on a decent 2009 in which he managed 9 victories. Right hander Mat Latos will probably round out the rotation. The Bullpen will once again be led by closer Heath Bell who saved 42 games last season leading the National League.

The 2009 Padres managed a surprising 75 wins. I would expect more of the same since they play in a division that doesn't have a dominate team. As always pitching and defense will be the keys to winning in Petco Park, but you do need some offense and I just don't think the Padres have enough to contend. Prediction: 72 wins and third place in the NL West.

Statistics courtesy of: www.mlb.com