2005 Diego Padres Preview

San Diego Padres Preview

ABOUT BASEBALL breaks down & previews the 2005 San Diego Padres.

2004 Record: 87-75, 3rd place NL West
Home Ballpark: Petco Park
Manager: Bruce Bochy

2005 Prediction: 93-69, 1st place NL West

ADDITIONS: INF - Geoff Blum, RP - Chris Hammond, SP - Darrell May, SP - Tim Redding, RP - Dennys Reyes, OF - Dave Roberts, RP - Rudy Seanez, RP - Steve Sparks, OF - Mark Sweeney, SP - Woody Williams, INF/OF - Eric Young

SUBTRACTIONS: SS - Rich Aurilia, INF - Alex Gonzalez, OF - Terrence Long, RP - Antonio Osuna, OF - Jay Payton, SP - Dennis Tankersley, INF - Ramon Vazquez, SP - David Wells

LINEUP: Dave Roberts (CF), Mark Loretta (2B), Ryan Klesko (LF), Phil Nevin (1B), Brian Giles (RF), Sean Burroughs (3B), Ramon Hernandez (C), Khalil Greene (SS)

ROTATION: Jake Peavy (RHP), Brian Lawrence (RHP), Woody Williams (RHP), Adam Eaton (RHP), Darrell May (LHP)

CLOSER: Trevor Hoffman (RHP)

OUTLOOK: This 87-win club will win a few more games in '05, and with San Fran's Barry Bonds out, the Padres have a legitimate shot at the division crown.

Righty Peavy will blossom into one of baseball's best young starters, while outfielder & leadoff man Roberts will provide a spark and set the table for sluggers Klesko, Nevin & Giles. The Padres will be the most exciting team to watch in the mediocre NL West.