2023 Preview: San Diego Padres

2022 report: 89-73; second in NL West

Offseason headlines: A giant October that led to a spot within the Nationwide League Championship Collection supplied some momentum for the winter and led to the additions of Xander Bogaerts, Seth Lugo, Matt Carpenter and Nelson Cruz. RHP Yu Darvish was locked right into a six-year, $108 million extension. The most important query, although, is how Fernando Tatis Jr. ready himself throughout the offseason for his return from a bike crash after the 2021 season and a PED suspension that also has 20 video games remaining.

Spring storylines: There have been acquainted faces in new locations after Bogaerts took over at shortstop. That left Ha-Seong Kim to shift from brief to second base whereas bumping Jake Cronenworth from second over to first base. After not enjoying in a 12 months and a half, Tatis regarded rusty this spring, however the actual measure of how a lot he’ll be capable of contribute with a surgically repaired wrist and shoulder will come as soon as he sees constant regular-season at-bats. For all the roster splashes the Padres made, they need to now discover a constant again half of the rotation behind Darvish, Joe Musgrove and Blake Snell. Musgrove labored via a toe harm this spring.

Younger weapons: Luis Campusano will get an opportunity to ship at catcher behind Austin Nola and his development can be key to lock down a place that’s not an enormous power. Issues have been heightened when Nola was hit within the face by a pitch late within the spring, however he was not severely injured. With three-fourths of the Padres infield away on the WBC, 19-year-old shortstop Jackson Merrill had an opportunity to impress the teaching employees this spring and is anticipated to be on the quick observe via the farm system.

Fall feeling: A return to the postseason is anticipated for a crew that compelled its means into the playoffs final 12 months and dispatched the rival Dodgers within the NLDS. San Diego nonetheless is on the lookout for its first division title since 2006.

Odds, even: The Padres are +950 to win the World Collection at DraftKings, the fifth-lowest odds within the main leagues and the third-lowest within the NL. The Padres are the second favourite to win the NL West at +115, the bottom of a second favourite in any division in baseball.

–Area Degree Media