San Diego Padres 2010 Primer

The San Diego Padres have finished in last place, or next to last place, six times in the last 10 years. But, the team won 37 of their final 62 games last year and they hope to build upon that positive streak as they enter the 2010 season.

It's a club made up of a bunch of young players, but with Adrian Gonzalez leading the way. That youth movement, while giving the franchise energy and keeping costs low, has forced the Padres into a continual rebuilding mode and out of the playoffs since 2006. Last year, they sent their best pitcher -- Jake Peavy -- away in a trade deadline deal, and they could do the same with their best slugger in 2010.

Until this team finds their way, and decides whether or not they want to compete or tear the walls down again, they aren't going to climb very high in the NL West standings. Spend some money and build around some nice building blocks or tell the fanbase that you plan to play small-market baseball to the extreme? You can't have it both ways and expect satisfaction. But, can you really make everyone happy, anyway?

Tom Krasovic: Padres Attention-Grabbers, No Matter What

Coming and Going

In: Jon Garland, RHP (free agency); Yorvit Torrealba, C (free agency); Matt Stairs, OF (free agency); Scott Hairston, OF (trade); Aaron Cunningham, OF (trade); Jerry Hairston Jr., IF (free agency); Dusty Ryan, C (trade); Radhames Liz, RHP (waivers)
Out: Kevin Kouzmanoff 3B (trade); Cliff Floyd OF (released); Brian Giles OF (free agency); Henry Blanco C (free agency); Eliezer Alfonso C (released); Edgar Gonzalez IF (released); Luis Rodriguez IF (released); Mike Ekstrom RHP (waivers); Walter Silva RHP (released); Cha Seung Baek RHP (released)

Around the Horn

Should He Stay or Should He Go? ...
The biggest question mark this season won't be determined on the field, but in the front office. Whether or not Adrian Gonzalez will remain in a Padres uniform after 2010 -- or even be dealt at some point during the season -- is on everyone's mind. Currently, Gonzalez is saying all the right things. He wants to play for the Padres. He wants to focus on baseball. He wants a long-term deal with lots of financial incentives. However, as the season wears on, not knowing could have an adverse effect on the slugging first baseman. The quicker this is resolved, the better for everyone involved.

Knives to a Gun Fight ...
In a notoriously pitcher friendly ballpark, it's normal to build your team around pitching. But to forget the big sticks entirely is unwise. After Adrian Gonzalez, the next best home run hitters on the roster (Will Venable, Chase Headley and Kyle Blanks) combined for only 34 home runs in 2009, six less than Gonzalez hit. Until the Padres bolster the middle of the lineup, it's going to be tough to compete in the NL West.

Fifth Man ...
Mat Latos, Wade LeBlanc, Cesar Ramos, Tim Stauffer, and Sean Gallagher are competing for the fifth spot in the Padres rotation. Stauffer and Gallagher are out of options, and only Gallagher fits in the bullpen if he doesn't win. Ramos and LeBlanc seem behind in the race and bound for the minors. Latos has, by far, the most upside of anyone on this list and could ultimately show top-of-the-rotation stuff. It will be tough to see Stauffer -- who has never lived up to extremely high expectations -- sent down if Latos does win the battle this spring, but it could be the best thing for the Padres in the long run.

Going Natural ...
With the departure of Kevin Kouzmanoff in the offseason, Chase Headley is headed back to third base, his natural position. Headley says he deals with fielding better if there is more action, which is a good thing since the hot corner will certainly keep him busy. The Padres need Headley to play solid defense at third base, but will let him slide a bit as he reacquaints himself, especially if he takes a few steps forward at the plate.

Projected Opening Day Roster

Lineup
1	David Eckstein	2B
2	Scott Hairston	CF
3	Adrian Gonzalez	1B
4	Kyle Blanks	LF
5	Chase Headley	3B
6	Will Venable	RF
7	Yorvit Torrealba	C
8	Everth Cabrera	SS
9	Pitcher's Spot	P

Bench
Nick Hundley	C
Tony Gwynn Jr.	OF
Jerry Hairston Jr.	UT
Oscar Salazar	IF/OF
Matt Stairs	OF

Rotation
1	Chris Young	RHP
2	Jon Garland	RHP
3	Kevin Correia	RHP
4	Clayton Richard	LHP
5	Mat Latos	RHP

Bullpen
Heath Bell	RHP
Mike Adams	RHP
Luke Gregerson	RHP
Joe Thatcher	LHP
Sean Gallagher	RHP
Ryan Webb	RHP
Edward Mujica	RHP

2010 Outlook

The Dodgers and Rockies are far and away the best teams in the NL West. In fact, they're so much better than the rest that the Padres will probably quickly realize that they can't compete in 2010. Unfortunately, that means San Diego's favorite baseball son, Adrian Gonzalez, will be sent off for a boatload of prospects and the Padres will finish in the cellar again. With the right offer, moving Gonzalez could be the final piece of the rebuilding puzzle.