The San Diego Padres have not been shy about spending money and making big moves but have not been able to capture that elusive title. In recent years, San Diego has become contenders in the National League and this year could be the same if all goes right.

2023 SEASON IN-REVIEW

Record: 82-80, 3rd in NL West

Postseason: N/A

The Padres continue to alternate postseason appearances. This is an even-number year so San Diego could be returning if the trend continues. Last season, the team finished above .500 but just missed out on a Wild Card spot. The year before, San Diego made a run to the NLCS.

2024 SEASON PREVIEW

Key Losses: OF Juan Soto, RP Josh Hader, SP Blake Snell, SP Seth Lugo, SP Michael Wacha, SP Nick Martinez

Key Additions: SP Dylan Cease, RP Wandy Peralta, SP Michael King, SP Jhony Brito, RP Randy Vasquez, RP Yuki Matsui

The lineup for the Padres did not see much change outside of the glaring loss of Juan Soto in a trade to the New York Yankees. Instead, the rotation saw plenty of overhaul.

San Diego saw four arms leave in free agency. Blake Snell remained out West while Seth Lugo, Nick Martinez, and Michael Wacha all found new homes. This means that a new rotation was needed behind Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove.

The Padres added much-needed depth in the Soto deal. Michael King and Jhony Brito, who is having a tremendous spring, will likely earn spots in the rotation. Knuckleballer Matt Waldron will also compete for a spot.

The big splash was made when the Padres traded for Dylan Cease. The perennial Cy Young candidate gives the team another ace at the top of the rotation.

Within the lineup, Xander Bogaerts and Fernando Tatis Jr. lead the way. Manny Machado will likely start the year as the DH, which means Graham Pauley or Eugy Rosario have a chance to win the job at third base. Jurickson Profar also reunited with San Diego.

San Diego has to deal with a difficult NL West this season, led by the Los Angeles Dodgers. If all goes right, the Padres look like a postseason team on paper that can fight for one of three Wild Card spots.

Potential Starting Lineup

1. Xander Bogaerts, 2B
2. Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
3. Jake Cronenworth, 1B
4. Manny Machado, DH
5. Ha-Seong Kim, SS
6. Jurickson Profar, LF
7. Graham Pauley, 3B
8. Luis Campusano, C
9. Jackson Merrill, CF

Potential Rotation

• Yu Darvish
• Joe Musgrove
• Dylan Cease
• Michael King
• Jhony Brito

Final Record Prediction: 84-78