Hopes and Dreams
As I begin to write this article, it is Jan 29th, 2024, at approximately 5:18pm. I'm at work and supposed to be working, but here I am writing nonetheless. In the football world, both the 49ers and the Chiefs have punched their tickets for a SB 58 berth and congratulations to both of these franchises, but I'm already looking ahead, to Feb 14th to be exact. No, not because it's Valentine's Day, sorry ladies, but because it is when pitchers and catchers report to camp, spring training camp that is. It is the official start to the 2024 baseball season. As excited as I get for the baseball season, I obviously get even more excited for Padres baseball. Yes, I have been part of the Friar Faithful, since the mid 80s, yes, almost 40 years. Yes, there's been a lot of ups and downs, mainly downs, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Yet another baseball season is upon us, and it is no different than the others. Another season of dreams, hopes, and expectations. Have my Padres done enough to fulfill some of these dreams and expectations? Well, let's dissect the moves, or should we say, the lack there of. Correct, AJ and Co. haven't made the big off season moves like they have made in recent years, but they did make an off season trade that should be seen this way. Earlier in the off season season, the Padres traded Juan Soto for a handful of players which included, RHP Michael King, RHP Drew Thorpe, RHP Jhony Brito, RHP Randy Vásquez and catcher Kyle Higashioka. This trade netted the Padres three ML ready arms, a veteran catcher, and an arm for the future. I'll personally take 5 players for 1 any day of the year. Especially since the Padres didn't even make the playoffs with Soto last season. It is time to take a different route. We'll be adding these arms to a starting rotation that already inclement the likes of Darvish and Musgrove, and a bullpen that includes Suarez and newly signed Matsui and Woo-Suk. This definitely makes this for an interesting pitching staff. So, what about on the offensive side of things? Well, yes we traded away Soto, but we still have the likes of Kim, Tatis, Machado, Boegarts, Cronenworth. Let's add some hungry kids to the mix in Merrill, Campusano and Azocar. Also, we all know darn well that Preller and Co. aren't done. I'm sure they'll be adding a another veteran name to the roster. The question being is who? Will we see Bellinger, Soler, Montgomery, Chapman, in camp come late February? I guess we'll have to stay tuned for that.
As for our NL West opponents, the Dodgers, Giants, Dbacks, and Rockies. Did any of these teams do enough this off season, not only to win the West, but to go deep into Oct? Well, we all know that the Dodgers spent ONE BILLION DOLLARS, on two players, yes ONE BILLION DOLLARS. Both Japanese players, one coming off season ending surgery, and the other player, has never even set foot on a MLB diamond. With that said, anything short of a WS title will be seen as a failed season, good luck Dodgers, no pressure. The Gigantes also gave a bunch of money to their very own Japanese bat. Again, a lot of feria for a player who hasn't played one ML game. The Dbacks have probably made the most moves this off season to a roster that won the NL Pennant in 23. Will these moves help the players that where on last year's team or will the sophomore slump plague their young players and they fall short in their Quest for the West? And then, there's the Rockies. I couldn't tell you if they've made any moves this off season or do I care. The one thing that's for sure is, they'll continue to be a thorn for the Padres and the rest of the NL in their quest for 50 wins this season.
So, as I wrap this up. As a Padres' fan, I am more than optimistic for the upcoming 2024 baseball season. I actually came across a reliable source, in Vegas, during TFRFF, that confirmed a 90 win season. I personally couldn't tell you how many wins or losses my beloved Padres will end up come the end of the season, but if the baseball gods are on our side, and they keep the roster injury free, we should stay competitive come the trading deadline. This is where AJ will make his big splash. He'll work his magic, and get us a piece or two that will take this team we'll into October and get the City of San Diego their first WS Title, Go Padres!
Submitted by Hector Martinez