Call to the pen
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San Diego Padres: Spring Training rotation breakdown

By Joseph Romano

SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 29: Chris Paddack #59 of the San Diego Padres pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Petco Park July 29, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 29: Chris Paddack #59 of the San Diego Padres pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Petco Park July 29, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
(Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

The San Diego Padres finished last season in last in the NL West. Their 2020 rotation has been updated and primed for success. Let’s take a deeper dive.

The San Diego Padres finished the 2019 season with a record of 70-92, finishing in last place in the National League West. After two offseasons of spending, this came as a disappointment, yet 2020 could very possibly the progress that the San Diego faithful have been long seeking.

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The depth of a successful pitching staff can never be underestimated, as it accounts for stagnations in development, unprepared rookies, and injuries. Therefore, it is advisable for a roster’s construction to hinge upon at least seven starters as opposed to five.

The sixth and seventh starter can bolster the ranks of the bullpen in times of health prosperity and with the advent of discord, such a commodity prevents panic – allowing these relievers with starting ability to seamlessly slide into the starting rotation.

In the Fall of 2019 and Winter of 2020, the San Diego Padres and GM A.J. Preller sought to fortify the bullpen beyond the exploits of top of the line closer Kirby Yates. They re-signed reliable middle reliever Craig Stammen, re-acquainted themselves with former starter turned reliever Drew Pomeranz and dealt Manuel Margot for Rays reliever Emilio Pagan.

Along the same line, rotation acquisitions, the maturation of prospects, and rehabilitation of the injured have allowed for 2019 starter Matt Strahm to also enter the bullpen ranks. Along with a potentially deeper and more consistent lineup, 2020 might see a reinvigoration for baseball in San Diego.

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