2009 MLB Preview - San Diego Padres

San Diego Padres
Manager: Bud Black (3rd season)
2008 Record: 63-99 (5th NL West)


Added: C Henry Blanco (CHC), SS David Eckstein (TOR), OF Cliff Floyd (TB), SP Shawn Hill (WAS), RP Edward Mujica (CLE)
Lost: C Josh Bard (BOS), SS Khalil Greene (STL)

Projected Lineup (2008 Stats)
1. CF Jody Gerut (.296, 46 R, 14 HR, 43 RBI) 2. 2B Edgar Gonzalez (.274, 38 R, 7 HR, 33 RBI) 3. RF Brian Giles (.306, 81 R, 12 HR, 63 RBI, 23 SB) 4. 1B Adrian Gonzalez (.279, 103 R, 36 HR, 119 RBI) 5. 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff (.260, 71 R, 23 HR, 84 RBI) 6. LF Chase Headley (.269, 34 R, 9 HR, 38 RBI) 7. C Henry Blanco (.292, 15 R, 3 HR, 12 RBI) 8. SS David Eckstein (.265, 32 R, 2 HR, 27 RBI)

Projected Starting Rotation (2008 Stats)
1. Jake Peavy (10-11, 2.85 ERA, 166 K) 2. Chris Young (7-6, 3.96 ERA, 93 K) 3. Cha Seung Baek (6-10, 4.79 ERA, 92 K) 4. Kevin Correia (3-8, 6.05 ERA, 66 K) 5. Shawn Hill (1-5, 5.83 ERA, 39 K)

Bench
C Nick Hundley, IF Luis Rodriguez, OF Cliff Floyd, OF Scott Hairston

Bullpen (2008 Stats for Closer only)
Heath Bell (23 H, 78.0 IP, 66 H, 71 K, 3.58 ERA), Cla Meredith, Edwin Moreno, Edward Mujica, Duaner Sanchez

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Fantasy Studs: 1B Adrian Gonzalez
Fantasy Sleepers: OF Chase Headley

Men In The Minors: 1B Kyle Blanks, 2B Matt Antonelli, OF Kellen Kulbacki, SP Matt Latos, SP Will Inman

Home Ballpark: Petco Park (Grade 7/10)

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Team Outlook: Just two years ago, the Padres were well over .500 and were contenders for the NL Pennant. These days, getting to .500 would be an accomplishment. It all begins with their pitching, which truly let them down last year. Peavy struggled and when your ace struggles, that doesn't bode well. Young was hit by a line drive and never really recovered from that. Baek had a rough season as well. So in other words, the staff is not one to put a lot of faith in. Same goes with the bullpen and new closer Bell. That's right, no more Trevor Hoffman. The lineup could be a lot worse but there is some hope. Gerut continues to improve. Giles is on the way down but A. Gonzalez is the real deal. Kouzmanoff and Headley are young talents who should see their numbers rise and having players like Blanco and Eckstein give the team a nice veteran presence. But in the end, this team will not be in contention this year. Expect Peavy to be traded during the All-Star break and for this team to get young all over to build for the future.

Next Preview: San Francisco Giants