03-24-2024 MLB Preview - Flipbook - Page 43
MLB ’24 NL WEST PREVIEW SAN DIEGO PADRES
Sunday, March 24, 2024 43
2023: 82-80, third place | Manager: Mike Shildt (first season) | Opening Day: March 20 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers in Seoul, South Korea
OVERVIEW
TOP HITTERS
3B/DH Manny Machado (.258, 30 HRs, 91 RBIs), 2B Xander Bogaerts (.285, 19, 58).
PROJECTED ROTATION
RH Yu Darvish (8-10, 4.56 ERA), RH Joe Musgrove (10-3, 3.05), RH Dylan Cease (7-9, 4.58 with
White Sox), RH Michael King (4-8, 2.75 with Yankees), RH Jhony Brito (9-7, 4.28 with
Yankees) or RH Matt Waldron (1-3, 4.35) or RH Randy Vásquez (2-2, 2.87 with Yankees).
KEY RELIEVERS
RH Robert Suarez (4-3, 4.23 ERA), LH Yuki Matsui (2-3, 1.57, 39 saves with Tohuku Rakuten
Golden Eagles in Japan), RH Woo-Suk Go (3-8, 3.68, 15 saves with LG Twins in South Korea).
OUTLOOK
There’s a much quieter vibe around the Padres following the November death of owner Peter
Seidler, their high-priced flop in 2023 and Bob Melvin’s departure after a falling out with GM
A.J. Preller. Mike Shildt was promoted to manager after serving in various capacities in the
organization the last two years. Fernando Tatis Jr. had a remarkably successful transition
from shortstop to right field, winning Gold Glove and Platinum Glove awards, after missing all of 2022 with injuries and a PED suspension. Machado had surgery for tennis elbow
after last season and although he’s back, he might not be ready to play the field on opening
day. Bogaerts moves to second base and Ha-Seong Kim will play shortstop. Preller made a
splashy move March 13, giving the rotation a big boost by acquiring Cease from the White Sox
for Wilson and three prospects: right-handers Drew Thorpe and Jairo Iriarte, and outfielder
Samuel Zavala. Cease finished second in 2022 AL Cy Young Award voting.
— Associated Press
ONE TO WATCH
RF Fernando Tatis Jr.
(.257, 25, 78)
LINDSEY
WASSON/AP
HE’S HERE
RHP Dylan Cease (left), LHP Yuki Matsui, RHP Woo-Suk Go, LHP Wandy Peralta, RHP Michael King, C Kyle Higashioka,
RHP Randy Vásquez, RHP Jhony Brito.
HE’S OUTTA HERE
Manager Bob Melvin, LHP Blake Snell, LF Juan Soto, LHP Josh Hader, LHP Tim Hill, RHP Steven Wilson, C Austin Nola, RHP Nick
Martinez, DH/INF Matt Carpenter, RHP Michael Wacha, RHP Seth Lugo, CF Trent Grisham.
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