MLB Stock Up, Stock Down: Rays, Orioles, Mets, Padres

May 19, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (35) and relief pitcher Yennier Cano (78) leave the field after the eighth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
May 19, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (35) and relief pitcher Yennier Cano (78) leave the field after the eighth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
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BBWAA members should have nominated Bob Melvin
Oct 19, 2022; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres manager Bob Melvin (3) before the game against the Philadelphia Phillies during game two of the NLCS for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

MLB Stock Down: San Diego Padres

The Mets or the Padres, who had the more disappointing season? Both had huge payrolls, they both had star power and they both failed to come anywhere close to reaching expectations. We covered the Mets earlier, now let’s cover the Padres.

Over the offseason, San Diego signed Xander Bogaerts away from the Red Sox, giving the Friars more star power than they already had. Added to a roster with Juan Soto, Manny Machado, and some good young players, it felt like a World Series or bust in Southern California. It became a bust.

Despite a rotation that had Blake Snell and Michael Wacha have very good seasons and one of the game’s best closers in Josh Hader, it never meshed in time. The Padres went on a late-season eight-game winning streak, but it was too little, too late.

Changes appear to be happening in San Diego and it could happen anywhere, the front office, the coaching staff, and even the roster. They will look to continue to be a contender next season, but this feels like a big offseason for the front office in terms of decisions for 2024.

There are still some things left to play for over the weekend, but the 2023 season certainly had it’s surprising teams and disappointing teams and the teams not in the playoffs are going to be the ones to watch as the offseason unfolds.