Fansided

5 teams that lost the MLB offseason

By Jackson Shannon

October 15, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) returns to the dugout after being relieved in the seventh inning against New York Mets in game five of NLDS at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
October 15, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) returns to the dugout after being relieved in the seventh inning against New York Mets in game five of NLDS at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 24, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres shortstop Alexi Amarista (5) gets a pat on the head from right fielder Matt Kemp (27) after driving in the winning run on an RBI single against the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres shortstop Alexi Amarista (5) gets a pat on the head from right fielder Matt Kemp (27) after driving in the winning run on an RBI single against the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

3. San Diego Padres

This time last year the San Diego Padres and general manager A.J. Preller were being heralded as having one of the most successful and transformative offseasons in the history of Major League Baseball.

Preller was able to bring in the top-tier talent of Matt Kemp, Justin Upton, James Shields, Melvin Upton Jr., Craig Kimbrel, Derek Norris, and Wil Myers. It seemed as if a World Series contender was created overnight and the Padres 2014-2015 offseason would forever go down in history as a success.

Unfortunately, the Padres and their star-studded acquisitions did not mesh well with injuries playing a factor along with a lack of production. Manager Bud Black was fired midseason, Preller failed to sell at the deadline and the Padres finished 74-88, putting a close to a disappointing season.

This offseason has been a different story, Preller was able to unload Kimbrel and his hefty contract to the Red Sox for a slew of quality prospects, and filled a glaring need at shor-stop with the signing of Alexi Ramirez. The biggest question facing the Padres is finding their identity.

The Padres are in baseball purgatory. They are not rebuilding or contending. Which way they decide to go with rests of the shoulders on Preller and the direction they take will determine whether or not he retains his job in the future.

With a rotation featuring James Shields, Tyson Ross, and Andrew Cashner, you can expect good pitching from the Padres on the nights they are starting, but there doesn’t seem to be answer for their fourth and fifth starters. Kemp amassed 100 RBI last season and Myers is switching to a full-time position at first base, which will hopefully cut down on his injuries and increase his production.

The bullpen is a major question mark as the Padres have a variety of unproven arms and a shaky closer in Fernando Rodney.

The National League West figures to be arguably the best division in baseball in 2016 making the Padres path to the playoffs unlikely. With so much talent in the division, Preller might continue to trade his assets away and look towards the future.

Next: 2. Cincinnati Reds

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