For .500!

.500

Has a nice ring to it, don't you think?


If the Padres win today, they will reach the magical .500 mark where people start talking about them as a winning team. Last year, it took the Padres until June 15 to reach the .500 mark at 34-34, so if you don't count 1-1, I would say 8-8 isn't that bad.

Again comparatively to last year, the Padres were 5-10 last year after 15, and 5-11 after 16, so already at least a two game improvement. Not much, but it definitely is a start considering the setbacks.

This season already showed its signs of the injury bug. Luebke gone. Josh Johnson gone. Maybin hurt. Quentin hurt. Headley bad?/hurt? To see a team with many problems looking to take their second straight series with potential to go 8-8 is a really good sign.

I most certainly cannot give credit to the hitters so far. I see they are coming around and starting to hit their stride, but hit 24th at .234 and 29th in OBP at .285, this is not the "hot start" Padres fans could have hoped for. Players need to get on base, and when they do, Padres have to hit them in. Again, the Padres are sitting at 29th with a .189 average with RISP. That is bad, really bad. When the only team that is below you is the Astros, Houston, we have a problem.

 I have to give much of the credit to the pitching. Unlike the hitting, the pitching is showing their stuff (namely a guy named Andrew Cashner).

Currently, the Padres rank 5th in ERA at 2.89, 12th in WHIP at 1.24 and 8th in opponent batting average, .234. The same .234 our hitters are hitting. No wonder these games are all so close.

Not all credit to just the starters, but the RP's are doing work. Huston Street is a perfect 5/5 in save opps, Benoit is finding his place nicely and earning his money, #ThayerTheSlayer, and the Pride of Romona, Nick Vincent have all contributed to the 3rd best bullpen ERA through 15. That being said, when they come in, they shut the game down.

Huston Street: Proven Closer.    photo: @619Sports

Complete opposite of last years bullpen, I have faith in this one (minus Tim Stauffer). They come in, they get outs, we get wins. It is how it should be and how it has been done.


So, what do I get from all of this? This team has promise. I really believe it.

So, what should you do from all of this?

WATCH THE GAMES AND SHOW SUPPORT. I know it is hard to swallow down some of the #Dickisms that are said. Yes, he calls bandana's pet devices. Yes, he does all of these, too....

Warning path. Drink. #Dickisms #PPLive
— Ghost of Ray Kroc (@GhostofRAK) April 17, 2014

Hubba hubba. Drink. #Dickisms #PPLive
— Ghost of Ray Kroc (@GhostofRAK) April 17, 2014

Cargo Gonzalez. #Dickisms #Padres
— Rich (@rich_roberts) April 17, 2014

"Doesn't matter anyway, that was strike three to Venable." Strike 2, Amarista. #Dickisms #PPLive
— VM David (@VocalMinoritySD) April 16, 2014

"Just inside" on an outside pitch #dickisms
— Ian Holmes (@iHolmes_8) April 15, 2014

...you get the picture. Basically, follow the games on twitter, they will make your life easier


And if watching isn't good enough. Come down to the game. Tonight will be my 10th MLB game this year and 6th Padres game. I don't expect super fans, but 14,XXX like we had Monday night after a series win isn't acceptable, even if it is the Rockies.

This season is young, but it has potential and as we reach Easter weekend with the theme of new birth, let the Padres start to show signs of life.

Hurt Headley Hinders Him Hitting Home Runs

On the Twittersphere today, just checking in on the latest gossip on Spring Training and people posting selfies of Chris Denorfia, when I came across news that only seems fitting for the Padres:

#Padres 3B Chase Headley has a strained right calf. On crutches as a precaution. He thinks it could be a couple of weeks.
— Corey Brock (@FollowThePadres) February 22, 2014

Well, uh oh! That sounds crappy!

Two years in a row? You've got to be kidding me right? Corey Brock is pulling my leg and hoping to find the tween that says "LOL JK", but as I scroll down the page and see Bob Scanlan and other confirm this tragedy, I must now accept that our Face of the MLB contestant is out....again.

I feel ya, buddy

With Chase Headley sidelined for the second year in a row during the Spring Training season, it can't help but make me a little frustrated about the start of Padres camp in Peoria. This is already the second injury (Max Fried) the Pads have seen and we haven't even made it through the first week. I am expecting soon to see Venable go down with a rattle snake bite, Maybin straining his elbow while brushing his teeth or some other fluke accident to make things worse.

Even though Headley's injury was deemed "minor" and "will be back in a few weeks", that doesn't put me in the greatest of moods knowing our star player and *crosses fingers* future extended player is hurt already in what I felt was going to be a big year. He wants to show '12 wasn't a fluke and he knows it is a contract year. Some numbers will be put up, right?

But, I see the silver lining. It did happen just in the first week of camp and that will give him plenty of time to recover and still have a productive spring and be ready for Opening Day. Couldn't be worse than last year when we trotted out Cody Ransom at 3B at Opening Day at Petco Park last year.

Well, get well Chase. We need you. Heck, I need you...mainly for fantasy baseball purposes, but your bat is welcomed with open arms into a hopefully potent (can I use that word talking about the Padres?) lineup.

Go Pads!

What WWE Superstars are your Padres most like?

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, this main event is scheduled for one fall....

I am a big fan of the wrestling and I have been since I was a young kid getting my first taste of the WCW and the Hulk Hogan era. Brother. As I was taking a shower, thinking about the upcoming Elimination Chamber PPV on February 23rd, I couldn't help but to have my mind wander off to see the likeness of many of my favorite wrestlers in comparison to some of the Padres players.

I know what you are thinking, baseball and wrestling? Those aren't alike! WRESTLING IS FAKE!!! But hear me out, I have good reasons for my comparison.



Chris Denorfia is Daniel Bryan

These two are the exact same person. Both of these players are super fan favorites and with their long flowing locks, they pump up fans in their respective arena. Both perform above average, but never seem to get the push they deserve because someone is always in front of them, whether it be John Cena or Will Venable. They are both waiting for their title chance and to show the fans they can be a true champion, defying all odds. While the "#Norf" chant may never catch on like the "Yes!" movement has, both of these superstars fly under the radar, but deliver results.

If you close your eyes and muffle your eyes, it almost sounds like Norf, right?

Cameron Maybin is Kofi Kingston

These two superstars are so much alike. Both are probably the most athletic ones in their respective locker room and perform high flying acts only they themselves would be able to accomplish. They both have the athletic ability but still haven't been able to get a long run at the top. After Cameron Maybin in his first year, he won Padres MVP, but then seem to slip to the level of mediocrity while Kingston has had a few short lived trips at the Intercontinental Title, but hasn't held on long any of those turns. I want both of these guys to get the                                                push they deserve and show their ability to live up to the potential.

I'd like to see him jump off the top ropes

Everth Cabrera is Rey Mysterio

This one feels like a no brainer. Both undersized mens have been able to make a name for themselves by their performance in their craft. One a former WWE Champion and the other an MLB All-Star, while both repping San Diego? The excitement they provide fans through a diving play in the hole or a reversal into a special move, this one is about as cut and dry as it gets. 

If Cabby can stop a ball in the hole, he can do this

Kyle Blanks is The Undertaker

The way I see it, these guys are similar for one reason. They both seem to come back once a year. Undertaker famously comes back one time a year for a short stretch during the WrestleMania season while Blanks seems to come back once a year while he's not on the DL. Two very different comebacks, but they perform almost                                                                     equivalent amounts. Oh yeah, they both are HUGE!

Best Intro Video?

The Rock is Huston Street

No more explanation needed than best finisher in the game. Hands down. Proven closer.

Imagine the commentators being Mark Grant and Dick Enberg

Chase Headley is John Cena

I see your fanhood, Cena.

And last but not least, our two stars. No matter what, these two are expected to perform. I feel like ever time I watch John Cena, I expect him to win and every time Chase Headley steps into the box, he is supposed to hit a home run. Both men act as the face of the locker room and are the top dog. Chase Headley is maybe the only Padre that casual fans can name and same                                                         can be said about John Cena. And if Chase Headley's special move                                                         was the walk-off home run, he could be deadly in the WWE.

Give him a title belt.

So, we may never see our guys in the ring, but I'll give our team the #1 contender spot on the diamond any day of the week. 

Padres sweep Giants, win 4th straight

Making it short because I have a pool party to attend, but what a sweet game at Petco Park today!

Going for the sweep of the Giants coming into the Sunday day game, the Padres didn't disappoint getting an offensive surge with 3 home runs, including a new-fence-aided Alexi Amarista 2-run shot and jacks by Headley and Hundley as well. It is nice to see the Padres get some production via the long ball since timely hitting isn't always there. Why not just score all runners at one time by hitting the ball over the wall?

Jason Marquis, although slightly shaky, was able to put off a much needed start for the Padres going 6.2IP and only surrendering 2 runs to the Giants lineup. Having to work out of bases loaded jams and runners continually on base isn't a good thing, but getting out of them with small scrapes is what Padres pitches need to do more often. Get out of jams without more than one run is great.

I am glad this series is over though. I was slightly looking forward to the higher attendance games and banter between both sides, but I had enough of it today. I couldn't even get into the park before I was angered by Giants fans who seem to turn up by the millions when they play at Petco Park.

Anyways, got the 6-4 win with another Huston Street save and we got the sweep from our Northern California rivals. I call that a great weekend.

Let us build on this four game winning streak and see if we can piece together a few series victories and get our record back to something respectable. It is obvious that Chase Headley back in the lineup is an amazing thing as today he smacked two doubles, one down each line, and a home run to dead center. His power is still there in all areas and the lineup is greatly impacted because of it. Get Norf, ECab, #WillTheThrill on base ahead of him, and the Padres will score some runs.

Go Padres!

Let's play the "What If" game: Padres Edition.

As fans, you probably talk about a lot of "what if" scenarios with your friends, most likely a few unrealistic feats that are fun to joke around with while playing video games and eating leftover pizza.

But with the Padres, the entire season can be said to be based off of a "what if" scenario" and I just wanted to point out a few big ones that Padres are going to be facing in the next few months.

"What if Edison Volquez doesn't turn his season around"
This is a highly likely scenario. Volquez has been serving up batting practice so far. So far, he has started off 0-3 with a 11.68 ERA (ouch). It is not like this is a new thing neither. Last year he went 11-11 with a 4.14 ERA and career 4.64 ERA lifetime. Seeing this, it is not like he about to hit his prime and start dominating. A guy with a mediocre fastball, terrible mechanics, and can hit his spots as well as Matt Kemp's hitting this early part of the year.

Is that Edison Volquez career I see?

Solution? Drop him out of the rotation. You have two arms in Andrew Cashner and Anthony Bass who are licking their chops to get back in the starting rotation. Bass so far has had some success in his 10.2 innings showing a 3.38 ERA and striking out 10, almost a strike out an inning. He has had struggles as a starter, just look at last year, but I have more faith in him than our so-called Opening Day starter.  Cashner as well could be a viable option. Once he gets back in the rhythm of things, I think he could be an effective starter. We saw great flashes of him last year as a starter, picking up some wins. It would be nice to give him a chance and maybe make the argument that the Anthony Rizzo trade was not a complete failure on Padres management. 100 MPH fastball is something worth using often.

"What if Chase Headley doesn't perform as well as last year"
Well, even though as I fan, I would like him to do so, I do not think he will put up similar numbers, but I still think he will be good. When looking up his fly ball tracks from last year, almost 25% of fly balls he hit left the yard, an extremely high number for any MLB player. Also, he may take a few weeks to get himself back fully from injury, so basically, the first month is a wash.

Although, the batters in front of him have been playing well. Chris Denorfia is turning himself into a every day starter and one of the few Padres who can hit .300, mix that in with a Everth Cabrera who has been swinging well and a Will Venable who has been able to get on base, Headley may have a lot of runners to drive in in front of him, so the RBI totals will be there. If he can get some power out of Yonder Alonso, Kyle Blanks and  Yasmani Grandal when he returns, maybe he will have some protection in the lineup.

Anyways, if he doesn't perform, he will most likely stay a Padre because his trade stock will plummet, and if he does, well, lets just hope management keeps their promise.

"What if Cameron Maybin never gets good again"
Unfortunately, this could be a sad reality for the Padres. The Padres "Player of the Year" in 2011 to batting just over .200 in 2012, to not even sniffing .100 batting average while obtaining an early wrist injury. It makes me cringe every time I remind myself we signed him 5yr/$25, a really premature move considering he only had one good year to go off of. I know the guy is 26 years old and still can hit his prime, but I only see him as a defensive factor and someone who swings for the fences but comes up short. If only he could play like his doppelganger, Dexter Fowler, who is becoming a force in Colorado.

What is Maybin doing in a Rockies uniform?

Maybin also is going to have a hard time finding any time on the field if Kyle Blanks really does come back for good the the bigs. With the power Blanks provides, the consistency of Denorfia and the inability to sit Quentin, Maybin might as well see himself as the 5th option in the outfield for the Padres.

"What if Denorfia plays like this all year?"
Answer: He will. The guy is a career .284 hitter and has become an instant spark plug and reliable bat in the lineup. As one of my favorite players since he has come to the Padres, I am really pushing for him to continue his early success as a full time player instead of someone who splits time with Venable in right. It would be nice to find a surprise bat in the lineup.

Just think of the lineup if players play up to potential:
Cabrera
Denorfia
Headley
Alonso
Quentin
Blanks/Venable
Hundley
Gyorko

That is a lot of power potential to hit balls into shorter Petco fences and make pitchers actually think twice about the Padres lineup even without Grandal. I am seeing a few guys who have 20+ home run potential.

"What if the Padres turn it around?"
They can. I really, truly believe that they can. They just need to get more out of their pitching staff. All of these early exits by starting pitching has really taken a toll on the bullpen and logging a lot of extra innings on them. I feel bad for a guy like Thad Weber who's sole purpose was to come up and eat innings for the big league club, only to be sent back down. If we can get pitching like we did in LA and string a full quality starts together, maybe, just maybe, the Padres can push for a .500 record. I am sold that the Padres have a good lineup who can score runs, just ask Papa John's, who has been dishing out 40% coupons all year because of it. If you can combine the pitching with the hitting, the Padres can be an underrated force against overrated teams.

"I got you, Padres fans"

The Padres aren't as bad as their record shows. They are just struck with the injury bug and playing to what they are expected to play at. Remember the second half last year? All the same pieces are here, I know they can play like that. Lets hope they can know that for themselves.

Go Padres!

Through 10 games, the 10 things Good/Bad I've Noticed

BAD:
1. Pitching in general. 3rd in MLB in walks with 39, 18th in K's, 27th ERA 5.29. This is a bad trend that needs to be fixed ASAP. No pitching, no wins, because the Padres do not have the offense to support it.

Actual picture of Edison Volquez

2. Team Batting Average: 8th to last with a .239 average. Without Denorfia, Kotsay and Hundley, the average would be in the dumpster.
3. Denorfia not starting every day. With Maybin hitting sub .100, he cannot justify getting any playing time. Meanwhile, Denorfia is hitting over .400 and plays a decent enough outfield to play the field every night.
4. Attendance: Opening Day sellout was awesome. After opening day, pathetic. In the low 20,000s for the other two Dodger RIVAL games and 21,000 on a Friday night with a promotion is awful. Get to the park people.

Fans consistently have been dressing as blue seats when they come to the game

5. The record. 2-8 is bad. Close games, but need wins.
6. Gyorko's walkup music. I know he went to school in West Virginia but...
7. Early inning offense/early inning pitching
8. Baserunning. Silly mistakes out there. For anyone who watched last nights game, refer to Will Venable getting picked off first by a right fielder.
9. Cameron Maybin. In a deep slump with no signs of getting out soon.
10. Fences, but only because they've benefited the other teams more so far. I am talking to you Juan Uribe.

GOOD:
1. Nick Hundley can hit! 11 XBH last year in 200+ ABs and already 6 in the first 10 games. I like what I am seeing.
2. Carlos Quentin lighting a fire. Sure, it may cost him 8 games and some cash, but getting the team pumped up in something needed.
3. Denorfia being very productive, near a .500 obp. As stated above.
4. Made games at least exciting to watch. Games are at least coming down to the late innings giving Padres a chance. Oh yeah, the brawl spiced things up a bit.

5. Chase Headley comes back soon. 1-3 in Lake Elsinore last night. Could maybe be back for Dodgers series.
6. Late inning offense. Getting some clutch hits late in the ball game to crawl back from early inning runs pitchers have been giving up.
7. Cabrera leading off and having long productive at bats. He is seeing a lot of pitches and getting on base. If his steals start coming back, he could be a legit (Padres) leadoff hitter.

Watch your nuts, Ellis.

8. Yonder's versatility. More hilarious than good. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Closer. Wherever you need Yonder, he will be there.
9. Uhhhhhhh....
10. Are there actually 10 good things? The Pad Squad girls?

Maybe they can get a win tonight. Rock the Rockies.

Creating The Greatest Padre: This makes even Dr. Frankenstein queasy

So, the Padres may not exactly be strapped with All-Stars and first ballot Hall Of Famers. I get it, we are a budget ball club with budget players. I love the guys, but lets me honest, Cameron Maybin is no Mike Trout.

With the new ownership trying to secure some players this year (or at least that is what they told us?) I was thinking myself, why not keep what we've got and create a monster player? Well not everything of everyone just some essential part.

First, the body of Kyle Blanks. This dude is massive. Imagine the 6'5'' 265lb frame of Kyle Blanks? Makes Josh Hamilton look like a shrimp side by side. With this height, our dream player will be able to use his body for maximum power when up to bat and hit jacks for days. Blanks body is a no brainer.

Hall Of Fame. First Ballot.

Speed is also a no doubter as well. We will call on the wheels of Everth Cabrera to jet our near-giant around the diamond at rapid pace (of course, when he is not hitting bombs over the Frazee Paint can in left). Everth had 44 base steals last year, leading the NL, and with another added foot in size, I think this could make our baller push for a 50/50 season. Our guy will make the road runner look slow.

Arm? Straight Cash-ner. We want our guy throwing 100MPH from wherever we decide to place him.

Bat? Homer Headley gets the nod. The dude hit 31 home runs last year and knocked in a NL leading 115 RBIs. Imagine combining these monster stats with our moster body frame of Blanks? 40+ home runs would not be out of the question and the potential to make Miguel Cabrera's Triple Crown year look like a joke as we put up video game-like numbers. Prepare yourself for 10 years of walk-off home runs


Glove? Cameron Maybin. This guy is a human web-gem and with a twitter handle like @SpiderMayb24 this guy cruises around the field like a super hero making sweet catch after sweet catch, robbing the best in the game of big hits.




Now it is time for some key pieces Padres fans need to have in a player that go beyond the playing field.

Most importantly, the high socks of Chris Denorfia. This may not be a correct statistic by any means, but I swear, whenever he wears these, the Padres win percentage jumps to about .800! Also, they just look frekin' sweet.

• The moustache of Dale Thayer. It just makes our guy look like a man. 
• The durability of Mark Kotsay. We want our guy playing up to 40 and well beyond. Satchel Paige has got nothing on us.
• The dreads of Edison Volquez. Because, why not?
• The faith of the Friar. No matter if we are down, he will be there to believe in us.

And lastly, good attitude is a must and from what I have seen and heard, Will "The Thrill" Venable is a fan favorite and all around awesome dude when it comes to fans. He never turns down a chance to sign autographs and always has a smile on his face. We need that in our All-Star. No one wants to be a jerk.

"Did someone say my name?"

Okay, okay, so this may not be possible to create the ultimate player, but after writing this, I realize I love these guys no matter what they can or can't do. They are my Padres, and I will take them as is.

This message is Bud Black approved.

...unless somehow we can sign Steven Strasburg, I would take that guy.

GO PADRES!

Fantasy Friars: You're Already Dead (Metaphorically)

As Spring Training begets Opening Day begets "10 games back in July isn't that insurmountable", most baseball fans will soon face the crushing realization that their fantasy team(s) suck just as much as the actual teams they support. Which will hurt worse? The possibility of losing ground in the standings to a Phillies' fan with a team name of "Young Love" or watching a professional sports team falter to the actual Delmon-Michael super-combo?

Your fantasy baseball team and its witty name: Lord Galzas
Cold-hard reality: Kenshiro

Padres Spring Training Update: Fun For Everyone

Today is Tuesday, and if my calculations are correct, we are just...1,2...3. 3 days away from the first Spring Training game down in Arizona.

So, to sum that last sentence up, baseball games start Friday and I cry tears of joy.

Sometimes, there is crying in baseball.

It has been fun so far from the fan point of view to follow the flow of information regarding this new, upcoming season. Yes, starting the season off with more talk of the whole "Grandal did steroids" talk wasn't too enriching but he did say he was sorry. In the words of Hannah Montana, Nobody's Perfect (for a good laugh and my exact feelings, watch this). Obviously, the effects of the steroids are still lingering, as he won the Catcher's Olympics yesterday at Padres camp.


In my defense, I feel I get to poke him for 50 games. Fair trade.

Other news, six Padres begin gearing up to head to the World Baseball Classic in a few weeks with potential news of a seventh. Apparently, there is talks of Chase Headley joining the team as well. I don't this that is fair, considering they are playing in Arizona in their first fews games (USA! USA!)

Last news isn't much to wet my pants over, but Bud Black has announced opening day starter will be Sean O'Sullivan...for Friday's first Spring Training Game. Tyson Ross will start on Saturday.

It isn't much so far, but it is news and something you can tell your friends about. 

Then you get moments like these.

Trevor Hoffman pitches to camp invitee, Austin Hedges. I have a hunch he is giving a healthy dose of change-ups. 

Fan Q&AAAA: Padres' Offense not Totally Offensive

We here at TPP are very much interested in what you, the fellow fan wants to know about the collective heartache we call our San Diego Padres.

"Betcha won't guess where FOX put their mic."

Our friend Joe R. poses us our first ever question! Congrats Joseph, we really wish this honor meant something. Tell your mom!

According to ESPN, The Padres are just average

 The Padres offseason report card came in today. If I was a kid and this was my report card, I would have made up some lame excuse to why it never made it home.

Anyways, thank you highly qualified ESPN analysts for letting me know the team with the projected 4th lowest payroll has room to improve.

ESPN Offseason Moves: D, The Pitiful Padres: C-

Yes, the Padres didn't go out an do what they wanted to. They came out after last season saying they need a starting pitcher or two to complete a rotation but failed to do so. To be honest though, I am confident in the rotation. We have a lot of young and great arms in the mix right no, and for a team that went 6 games under .500 last year using 15 starting pitchers, imagine what we could have done with a solid rotation through 2012.

The Padres may not be done though. According to Corey Brock of MLB.com, GM Josh Byrnes said:

"There is a chance we can solve [the rotation] with our own guys," San Diego general manager Josh Byrnes said. "The thing about the offseason [is] … we haven't pursued guys just to add bodies. But if we feel there's an upgrade, someone with upside or a long-term guy, then OK. But we're comfortable with seeing how our guys look. There might be a need [to add a pitcher] but there might not be."

Additionally,  there are a few more arms out on the market currently looking to find a home in 2013. Including Kyle Lohse, Roy Oswalt, Dallas Braden and Chris Young.

Okay, alright, Lohse (16-3 in 2012) will not be a Padre and I find it hard pressed for the Padres to go after 35-year old Oswalt and his usual high contract demands that surround. Braden could be a potential who they could get for cheap. He only made $3.3M last year in a season he only had 18IP. Young, on the other hand, could be a great move for fan moral. He is a consistent arm who can win some games and keep you in most others.

Chances are though, if I am in the front office, I stick with what I got and run a craps shoot with my 10 potential starters.

                                            I heard he is still looking for a contract in 2013...

ESPN Position Players: C+, The Pitiful Padres: C+

PROJECTED LINEUP
SS Everth Cabrera
RF Will Venable/Chris Denorfia
3B Chase Headley
LF Carlos Quentin
1B Yonder Alonso
CF Cameron Maybin
C Nick Hundley/Yasmani Grandal
2B Logan Forsythe/Jedd Gyorko

So, the Padres didn't score a lot of runs last year (4.0/game, 10th in NL), but I will use the old cliche of "Petco Park". Let us not forget they are moving the fences in 10ft which could provide for a little more offensive production. To analyze the lineup:
Cabrera, solid defense, lack of offense. Basically, we know what to expect.
Venable/Denorfia: Solid defense, and an upside on base-paths  Both can run decently well and Denorfia hits nearly .300 and puts the ball in play. Get on base for the big boys.
Headley: Coming off a near MVP season last year, we can only hope he replicates his numbers.
Quentin: Only played 86 games and made his impact known. A full season with fences in? HIGH potential for some offensive surge.
Alonso: Only 9 HR's in his rookie campaign but showed a lot at the plate. He will have people on base in front of him to drive in some runs.
Maybin: After bad first half, he hit .283 in the second half. Keep the swing up. At 26, still has a chance to be sucessful.
Hundley/Grandal: Game 51 we get a hitter back. Hundley plays great defense, but too many holes in his swing.
Forsythe/Gyroko: Logan hit .273 last year and an upgrade form Armarista. Gyrokos 30 bombs in Tucson hopefully can transfer to the bigs.

I feel the lineup will be better than last years based on potential. One year more experience for the rookies and a chance to erase last year for the likes of Maybin and Hundley.

ESPN Pitching: D+, The Pitiful Padres: C

I stated my opinion before. If the Padres don't get hurt, they have 10 potential arms. 6 under last year with a platoon of starters.

ESPN Overall: C, The Pitiful Padres: C

Ok, so I am a little biased and think all of my Padres are going to be All-Stars this year like Huston Street was last year. Last year, the team surprised some people. We had a MVP finalist and Gold Glover in Headley, a pleasant surprise from rookies Grandal and Alonso and a great effort from an ailing staff. I don't (realistically) expect any World Series this year, but .500 is not out of the question.

FanFest Photo Gallery

View of construction from right field

Mark talking with Ron Fowler

More construction

First Base

Will "The Thrill" Venable autograph

Chase Headley, Chris Denorfia and Clayton Richard

Padres President, GM and of course Dick Enberg

View of the field

The Pitiful Padres: Here we begin.

The 2013 San Diego Padres season is closing in on us quickly. In just five days time, pitchers and catchers will be reporting to Peoria to begin their spring training and just nine days time until the full roster voluntary date for all players invited to Spring Training this year.

This is going to be a big year for the Pads. With new owners, hopefully big things to expected and the lack of playoff streak can end. This being said, the NL West is not going to be a cake walk this year....again. Our rivals from two hours away have decided they wanted to spend every penny Magic Johnson and all his buddies have on signing every big name player they can get a hold of for the Dodgers and the Giants are coming off their second World Series in the last few years.

I have faith though. We have a good team as it is, when healthy, and if players play to their full potential we can get a lot out of this squad. Even with the 5th lowest payroll in the league (even after a 17% increase from last year according to Yahoo!), odds are against them, but I have a feeling this could be a great year.

The fences moving in, Headley coming off an MVP caliber season and Alonzo coming into his sophomore season (and Grandal after his 50 game...um...vacation). With Maybin getting hot the second half of the season, Hundley returning to the lineup after clearing his head in the minors and the Padres hopefully not using 15 different starting pitchers this year due to a ton of bad luck, I could see this being a fun summer being a Padres fans, with hopeful shades of 2010.

Of course ever team gets excited to start of the year and every teams fanbase is "going to win the World Series". I am not going to predict that, but I wouldn't be surprised if they snuck into the playoffs somehow. With the 5th best 2nd half record last year (other 4 teams made the playoffs), the Padres have shown what they are capable of and if they improve their road performance (34-47) and keep up their home performance (42-39), I have full confidence the Pads can break .500 this year.

Who knows? I could be speculating. But why not have faith? Why count out the Padres? I won't until they are mathematically eliminated. I hope for a fun season and I plan on being at Petco Park for as many games possible this year.

I hope to see everyone at Fan Fest this Saturday, February 9th at Petco Park where you can meet the players, get autographs, run the bases, tour the clubhouse, buy season tickets, play catch on the field, buy game used gear, and get excited about the 2013 Padres.

Good luck guys, and I hope to keep the excitement up late into October.

-Bret