Hot Offseason Action: San Diego Padres

Acquired: RHP Casey Kelly, 1B Anthony Rizzo, CF Reymond Fuentes, 2B Eric Patterson, RHP Aaron Harang, CF Cameron Maybin, SS Jason Bartlett, 2B Orlando Hudson, RHP Chad Qualls, 1B Jorge Cantu, 1B Brad Hawpe, OF Ryan Ludwick.

Notable losses: 1B Adrian Gonzalez, P Jon Garland, P Kevin Correia, P Chris Young, IF David Eckstein, UT Jerry Hairston Jr., C Yorvit Torrealba, OF Scott Hairston, OF Tony Gwynn Jr., SS Miguel Tejada, UT Matt Stairs

Line-up:

RF Will Venable
2B Orlando Hudson
3B Chase Headley
LF Ryan Ludwick
1B Brad Hawpe
CF Cameron Maybin
SS Jason Bartlett
C Nick Hundley

Rotation:

RHP Mat Latos
LHP Clayton Richard
RHP Aaron Harang
RHP Tim Stauffer
LHP Wade LeBlanc

CL Heath Bell

It certainly was a busy offseason in San Diego. After losing out on the playoffs in the very last game of their 2010 season, the Padres decided to be frugal shoppers (and sort-of-high sellers) and go into rebuild mode. As in years past, the messy divorce between owner John Moores and his now-ex-wife will continue to cloud the team’s moves since the ownership group now in place (lead by CEO Jeff Moorad) has yet to retain full control.

And so, the Padres do what they can to survive without incurring big payrolls or depleting the farm system. Given the recent offseason moves, it’s clear Padres GM Jed Hoyer continues to shuffle his cards, even if he’s got a shitty hand to play every year. Without Adrian Gonzalez, the Padres will see a big decrease in offensive production. And considering they scored the least runs in the division in 2010 with the big bopper in place, it’ll be tough for the Friars to contend.

They traded Gonzalez, their most productive hitter, to the Red Sox for prospects, which is a significant loss (unlike letting Miguel Tejada walk, which was an addition-by-subtraction loss). Chris Young and Jon Garland also walked via free agency, and they non-tendered Tony Gwynn Jr.

Defensively, they made upgrades, padding their infield with the addition of Orlando Hudson and Jason Bartlett. Similarly, Cameron Maybin is a solid defensive upgrade over Gwynn. They also added Brad Hawpe, who looks to be a platoon candidate at first base with Jorge Cantu.

Finally, Aaron Harang should have a rebound year pitching in the catacomb that is Petco park.

The success of the offseason moves rests on whether the young talent in the current roster continues to improve (as in front-end starter Mat Latos); how much production the team can extract from veterans like Ryan Ludwick, Hudson, or Bartlett; or whether veterans like one-time Reds ace Harang and former shut-down reliever Chad Qualls can regain the form they’ve had in the past.

Or all three.

Offseason Grade: C

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