Fansided

Opening Day 2015: Top 5 storylines for 2015 MLB season

By FanSided Staff

Apr 5, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general shot of Wrigley Field during batting practice prior to a game between the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general shot of Wrigley Field during batting practice prior to a game between the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 25, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Diego Padres catcher Derek Norris (3) shakes hands with third baseman Yangervis Solarte (26) after hitting a home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Diego Padres catcher Derek Norris (3) shakes hands with third baseman Yangervis Solarte (26) after hitting a home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Will The New Look San Diego Padres Make Noise Or Flame Out?

There wasn’t much to be excited about in 2014 in San Diego. Any momentum gained by the Padres at any point in the season was immediately thwarted by the far superior Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants in the NL West. They just weren’t a very good team. Finishing at 77-85, it seemed that their organization was at a standstill. Until they hired first year general manager A.J. Preller that is.

Preller has been making moves in a big way for the Padres this offseason. He has created a bigger splash in free agency and the trading market in his first couple months on the job than his predecessor, Josh Byrnes did in two seasons. Preller has given Padres’ fans something to cheer about for the first time since Jake Peavy won the Cy Young Award in 2007. I wouldn’t be surprised if a couple of those Californians who have been rooting for the LA Dodgers or LA Angels the past couple seasons don’t hop on the San Diego Padres bandwagon for 2015. After all, they have done some pretty impressive stuff this winter.

First of all, their outfield has gotten some major rework. Trading for Matt Kemp, Justin Upton, and Wil Myers has given the Padres some serious bats in the heart of their order. They also acquired Melvin Upton and Craig Kimbrell, which means the San Diego Padres are going hard after an NL West crown this season.

The Padres are returning two premiere pitchers to their rotation in Andrew Cashner and Tyson Ross. Both star pitchers put up a sub 3.00 ERA last year and aren’t looking like they are slowing down anytime soon. Additionally, the Padres snagged James Shields out of free agency. One of the most valuable signings in free agency this off season, Shields could put up a 15+ win season for the Padres, especially with the strong lineup San Diego has accumulated.

Of course we will have to wait to see if they win a few games before making any predictions with complete confidence. But I think I would be willing to say that the Padres are favorites to be a wildcard team in 2015. This all depends on the health of Shields and if Quentin can make the transition to first base with ease, but with the new outfield revved and ready to go, I like the Padres odds this year.

Next: The return of the Boston Red Sox

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