Since pitchers and catchers reported to Peoria on Feb. 12, we have reached the end of what has been a very active and interesting offseason for the San Diego Padres.
With the long months behind us, it’s time to look at the pros and cons of what A.J. Preller and Co. have done the past four months.
Pros:
Drastic improvements to the bullpen: No team has upgraded their bullpen as much as the Padres have this offseason. Early in free agency, they signed Drew Pomeranz to a four-year, $34-million deal, and then Feb. 8, four days before pitchers and catchers were to report, San Diego acquired Emilio Pagan from the Rays.
Both veteran relievers could be closers on most teams, so having them gives the Padres a formidable pitching staff to face in the last three innings of the game. Add that to Munoz, Stammen and Baez, and you have arguably the best bullpen in the big leagues.
Addition of Tommy Pham: The Padres added a solid bat in the outfield in December when they acquired Tampa Bay outfielder Tommy Pham for Hunter Renfroe and Xavier Edwards. Pham is a much more consistent player than anything we had in the outfield last year, and will be, barring any injury, an immediate top of the order hitter.
Cons:
Not being able to get rid of Myers’ contract: Everybody within the organization knew that the club’s biggest goal of the off-season was to trade away Wil Myers and part of his massive contract, and not being able to do that was probably the biggest failure of the winter.
Holes in the lineup: The Padres went into the offseason with holes in left field, center field, second base and even catcher, while not receiving quality play in right field, third base or first base in the final months.
The acquisition of Tommy Pham will fill the hole at left field, although the trade caused a hole at the other corner outfield position. Meanwhile, the holes at other positions remain the same.
Overall, the Padres made successful moves to make the jump from rebuilding to playoff hopefuls, although they have not jumped the line to become a playoff contender yet.