San Diego Padres

Manager: Bud Black
Stadium: Petco Park
2008 Record: 63-99 (5th in NL West)
Team Page | Roster | Schedule

LINEUP

'08: Batting | Runs (16th in NL)
PLAYER B POS
Brian Giles L RF
David Eckstein R SS
Adrian Gonzalez L 1B
Kevin Kouzmanoff R 3B
Jody Gerut L CF
Chase Headley B LF
Nick Hundley R C
Luis Rodriguez B SS
OFF THE BENCH
Cliff Floyd L OF
Scott Hairston R OF

PITCHING

'08: Pitching | ERA (10th in NL)
ROTATION T POS
Jake Peavy R SP1
Chris Young R SP2
Cha Seung Baek R SP3
Kevin Correia R SP4
Chad Reineke R SP5
BULLPEN
Mike Adams R Setup
Cla Meredith R Setup
Heath Bell R Closer
 
The 2008 Padres became the first NL team since the 1959 Cubs to steal the fewest bases (36) while allowing the most swipes (168). Great. They aren't good at big ball (they were last in runs and OBP and third in strikeouts), and they stink at small ball, too. Since there's scant hope that will change anytime soon, here's what makes the Padres worth watching: seeing what they get for ace Jake Peavy. The All-Star will make $11 million this year, almost a quarter of the team's payroll. Says one NL exec, "They have two options: Finish last or finish last minus $11 million." You do the math. But even though Peavy is throwing this spring "as well as I've ever seen him," according to one scout, the pitcher's contract ($59M over the next four years), the Padres' trade demands and their ownership flux (the club is being sold) are making it hard to deal him. The Braves desperately wanted Peavy but gave up and signed Derek Lowe. The Cubs still want him, but they're in the middle of a sale, too. Still, one thing seems clear: Peavy will start the season in San Diego, but he won't finish it there.
-- Tim Kurkjian

ESPN The Magazine's Padres preview Insider

PROSPECTS

HITTER TO WATCH:

Rule 5 pick Everth Cabrera could steal a few bags and play good defense at short, but his bat isn't likely to play in the majors right now.

PITCHER TO WATCH:

Walter Silva is a 32-year-old rookie from the Mexican League with good control of a four-pitch repertoire, and he'll be pitching in one of the worst hitters' parks in the game.
-- Keith Law, Scouts Inc.

ESPN Conversations

ESPN Conversations


You must be signed in to post a comment

Already have an account?

You are fully responsible for the content you post. Content that includes profanity, personal attacks or antisocial behavior (such as "spamming" or "trolling"), or other inappropriate content or material will be removed. We reserve the right to block any user who violates our terms of use, including removing all content posted by that user.
AL
NL
 

SPORTSNATION

Will Adrian Gonzalez be the top first baseman in the National League in 2009? What about Kevin Kouzmanoff at third base? Will former Cy Young Award winner Jake Peavy be the NL's best starting pitcher? Can Heath Bell fill Trevor Hoffman's big shoes and be the NL's best closer? Register your vote.

NL poll page

Featured Comment

Playoffs -- Phillies, Cubs, Padres, Mets (wild card)


schierbaum20

National League fan previews

FANTASY

SLEEPER

After holding his own in his big league debut last season, Chase Headley will take a step closer to becoming the .300-hitting, 20-homer player he can be at the big league level.

BUST

Chris Young's velocity is only in the mid-80s even as we get ready to open the season, and he needs to be working about 3 or 4 mph higher in order for the deception in his delivery and his changeup to be effective. After a season full of injuries, the velocity is a red flag.

INJURIES

Young has Ivy League smarts and toughness. No one could doubt the mental fortitude of this Princeton graduate after he came back to the mound just 10 weeks after taking a pitch to the face. The impact resulted in not only a broken nose, but also a skull fracture. Despite post-surgical sinus and ear infections, a strain in his throwing forearm forced him onto the DL again in August. Given his injuries last year, Young's spring tendinitis and poor outings have some concerned. For his part, Young says that both are typical of his spring performance and that he will warm up as the season approaches. Last year's injuries should have no carryover effect. Young has every reason to be optimistic in 2009.
-- Stephania Bell

MORE

30 Questions: What can we expect from Chase Headley?

PRESEASON POWER RANKINGS

  • Jayson Stark

    Stark
    30th overall
    5th in
    NL West

  • Tim Kurkjian

    Kurkjian
    30th overall
    5th in
    NL West

  • Buster Olney

    Olney
    30th overall
    5th in
    NL West

  • Rob Neyer

    Neyer
    27th overall
    5th in
    NL West

  • Jim Caple

    Caple
    30th overall
    5th in
    NL West