Call to the pen
Fansided

San Diego Padres: Postseason failure setting up future success

By Thomas Conroy

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 24: Manager Jayce Tingler and Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres line up during the National Anthem prior to the Opening Day game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at PETCO Park on July 24, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 24: Manager Jayce Tingler and Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres line up during the National Anthem prior to the Opening Day game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at PETCO Park on July 24, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

Preller Done Outstanding Job Rebuilding Padres Roster, Work Still to be Done

No question, Padres general manager AJ Preller should be applauded for adding quality players to the mix. He did an excellent job of making the right deals at the trade deadline. Preller took a gamble by radically changing his roster without giving up any major pieces off his 40-man roster.

However, getting swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers has shown that there is still work to be done. Yes, improvement has been gained, but Preller and his staff have a shopping list that needs to be filled out this offseason. Most of his player decisions are internal and none are very easy.

The first area of concern is with the Padres pitching staff. The hope is that both Mike Clevinger and Dinelson Lamet are injury-free and atop of the starting rotation in 2021. Preller may look to add a veteran starting pitcher to the mix as an insurance policy in case of injury.

However, the closer position in the bullpen is a major red flag heading into this offseason. Trevor Rosenthal was the perfect trade deadline (4 saves in 9 appearances) addition, especially after Kirby Yates was lost due to injury. His outstanding play will gain attraction on the free agent market this winter. Signing Rosenthal should be priority No 1 for the Padres as replacing him may be near impossible.

The Padres may be in the market to add another bat as Jurickson Profar is a free agent as well. After a slow start to the 2020 season, Profar was one of the Padres most clutch (.351) hitters down the stretch. Odds are high that he will have a number of suitors looking to sign him to a big-money deal. Preller must decide if it’s worth to get into a bidding war for Profar or look elsewhere for another reliable stick.

The good thing is the Padres have an ownership group that is committed to putting a winning product on the field. Preller has implemented a solid game plan, now it is time to complete the goal.

Playoff Disappointment Will Pay Big Dividends in 2021

Are the Padres a juggernaut?

Not quite, but they’re a very good team.

What made 2020 such an enjoyable season was that the Padres young (Fernando Tatis Jr., Jake Cronenworth, Trent Grisham and Chris Paddack) guns were winning ballgames while still learning their trade. The disappointment of their playoff experience will pay big dividends for this group in 2021.

Collectively, the Padres must learn to play with more consistency on the field each day. It’s easy for this roster to compete and play hard, but to go to the next level, this young, talented team must learn from their mistakes. There are no excuses for poor base-running, consistently swinging at pitches out of the zone or failing to throw strikes. Usually, these results turn a tight game into a laugher pretty quickly.

Teams that limit their mistakes in October, continue to play baseball. It sounds simpler than it actually is.

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