Will the Padres Actually Be Relevant Next Season?

Matt Kemp is finally officially a Padre. So is Wil Myers. So is Justin Upton. Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi haven’t been the only MLB executives busy this offseason. New San Diego General Manager A.J. Preller has been making some sweeping moves as well including piecing together an entirely new outfield consisting of Matt Kemp, Wil Myers and Justin Upton.

Although none of the three new San Diego outfielders are actually center fielders, the Padres have definitely added some offensive punch to their lineup. The Padres had little to no offense last season (San Diego was last in the Majors in runs scored), so injecting some much needed power and offense into their roster was on the top of Preller’s to-do list. In contrast, the Dodgers have lost offense but gained sharper defense with the additions of Jimmy Rollins and Howie Kendrick who will shore up the middle infield and a better defensive outfield with Joc Pederson‘s path to the Dodger outfield cleared.

The question then becomes: will the Padres actually be relevant next season and pose a threat in the N.L. West to the Dodgers and Giants? The Padres could be

San Diego GM A.J. Preller is making some sweeping moves this offseason. Photo: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

the dark horse of the division, and the Dodgers shouldn’t take the 16 games they will play against them lightly.

The Padres may not be underdogs any longer, and while they still have a steep hill to climb to gain prominence in the division and take on the juggernaut payroll of the Dodgers and the defending World Champion San Francisco Giants, it could be a very promising year for the Friars. Break out the camouflage, San Diego!

Thursday, the Padres also picked up All-Star catcher Derek Norris from the Oakland A’s after dealing Yasmani Grandal to the Dodgers. They will also have former Dodger backup catcher Tim Federowicz at their disposal as well.

Matt Kemp’s arthritic hips and Norris’s weak second half are not without concerns, but then again Matt Kemp was one of the best hitters for the Dodgers last season even with two bum hips. San Diego will not only add right-handed power to their lineup with Kemp, but they also have a superb pitching staff ready to make a run at the Dodgers rotation. Tyson Ross and Andrew Cashner will lead the rotation, and Petco Park is extremely pitcher friendly adding to their advantage.

The Padres also have a lot of promising pitching prospects in their farm system, and they will be able to tap into their talent or use those pieces as future trade bait if needed during the season.

While the Dodgers have shed one surplus outfielder this season, the Padres now possess extras as well. A.J. Preller, like Zaidi, is most certainly not done reshaping his roster. He will need to trade one or more of Carlos Quentin, Will Venable, Cameron Maybin or Seth Smith this offseason.

While I still think the Dodgers have the better team, things will be getting a bit more interesting in the N.L. West in 2015. I can’t wait to see Matt Kemp attempt to hit Clayton Kershaw‘s curveball.

The Dodgers open the 2015 season versus the Padres on April 6th at Dodger Stadium.

Do you think the Padres will give the Dodgers a run for their money next season? Let me know in the comments.