Extreme Makeover: San Diego Padres Edition
Dec 12, 2013; Orlando, FL, USA; Texas Rangers assistant general manager A.J. Preller talks during the Rule 5 Draft during the MLB Winter Meetings at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort. The Texas Rangers chose Russell Wilson, quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks in the draft. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
In a matter of days, the San Diego Padres went from Carlos Quentin, Will Venable, and Seth Smith roaming their outfield to Justin Upton, Wil Myers, and Matt Kemp. Furthermore, the Padres went out and acquired Derek Norris from the Oakland A’s to form a potentially formidable lineup for the first time in recent memory. Additionally, they landed Will Middlebrooks from the Boston Red Sox.
All of this adds up to quite a December for the General Manager of the San Diego Padres, A.J. Preller. He has made this off-season incredibly memorable so far.
It was only a few weeks ago that the San Diego Padres had the least fantasy relevant roster in all of Major League Baseball. The Padres were dead last in a ton of offensive categories. The following table only lists some basic categories where the Padres were the worst in baseball and they ranked dead last in a multitude of other statistics.
[table id=1297 /]
The front office of the San Diego Padres knew it was not acceptable and made big upgrade at five positions across the field. The Padres now have fantasy relevant players at almost every position. Justin Upton and Matt Kemp were top 50 picks or better prior to moving to San Diego. While Petco Park should slightly depress their power numbers, both players are still excellent options.
It is very important not to forget that Wil Myers was coming off a bad wrist in 2014 after winning the AL Rookie of the Year in 2013. Like Upton and Kemp, Wil Myers has 25+ home run potential. The San Diego Padres hit 109 homers in 2014. There is an outside chance that their five new players could approach that total.
Derek Norris was one of my favorite catchers in 2014. He should get the opportunity to play in more games in 2015 because he was one of three effective catchers for Oakland last season. While Norris is probably nothing more than a low-end starting catcher, he should offer a little production across the board and probably not hurt your team’s average.
Even though Will Middlebrooks was absolutely dreadful in his partial 2014 season with the Boston Red Sox, I really like the trade as a nice buy low. Middlebrooks is still fairly young at 26 and has the chance to offer decent numbers across the board.
I am glad to see the Padres be fantasy relevant again. It should be a fun season, but who knows if the San Diego Padres are done. According to MLB Trade Rumors, there is already speculation that Wil Myers could be moved to Philadelphia in a deal involving Cole Hamels. Even if nothing happens there, General Manager A.J. Preller is handling the offseason like a video game, and it seems like his opponents are set on easy mode so far.