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During the 2014-15 MLB offseason, the San Diego Padres made a number of bold moves under GM A.J. Preller. However, the Padres ultimately finished a disappointing fourth in the NL West last year with a record of 74-88. Heading into 2016, things likely wont get any easier in a division that features the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants and Arizona Diamondbacks, but it will certainly be interesting to see if the Padres can make any positive strides. On that note, here is a spring training prediction of what first-year manager Andy Green‘s lineup may look like when his club takes on Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers on opening day.
1. Jon Jay, CF
Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports1. Jon Jay, CF
Acquired in an offseason trade with the St. Louis Cardinals, Jon Jay should be a good fit in center field and in the leadoff spot for the Padres this season. He had a rough season last year and was limited to just 79 games, but he had a great season for the Cards in 2014, slashing .303/.372/.378.
2. Cory Spangenberg, 2B
Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports2. Cory Spangenberg, 2B
Through 108 games last season, former first-round draft pick Cory Spangenberg made a solid impression, hitting .271/.333/.399 with four homers and 21 RBIs. The left-handed hitting second baseman should be a great fit in the two-hole.
3. Wil Myers, 1B
Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports3. Wil Myers, 1B
After being limited to just 60 games in his first season with the Padres last year, 2013 AL Rookie of the Year Wil Myers has now moved in from the outfield to play first base. At just 25 years of age, Myers should still have plenty of breakout potential.
4. Matt Kemp, RF
Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports4. Matt Kemp, RF
Although he wasn't the same player he was when he was the runner-up in the NL MVP race with the Dodgers back in 2011, Matt Kemp had a decent year with the Padres in 2015, hitting .265/.312/.443 with 23 homers and 100 RBIs through 154 games. If Kemp can stay healthy for another 150-plus games in 2016, it would be huge for the Padres.
5. Derek Norris, C
Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports5. Derek Norris, C
In his first season after coming over in a trade with the Oakland Athletics, Derek Norris hit a decent .250/.305/.404 with 14 homers and 62 RBIs. Norris' batting average and OBP were down from the season before, but he provided good offense for a catcher and should continue to do so.
6. Yangervis Solarte, 3B
Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports6. Yangervis Solarte, 3B
Acquired from the New York Yankees in the Chase Headley deal back in the summer of 2014, Yangervis Solarte was quite solid in his first full season with the Padres last year, hitting .270/.320/.428 with 14 homers and 63 RBIs. It looks like the switch-hitting infielder is going to give San Diego a solid player moving forward.
7. Alexei Ramirez, SS
Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports7. Alexei Ramirez, SS
After his option was declined by the Chicago White Sox this offseason, Alexei Ramirez signed a reported one-year, $4 million deal to join the Padres. Ramirez isn't exactly coming off of his best year, but he was terrific back in 2014, hitting .273/.305/.408 with 15 homers and 74 RBIs. He also made an All-Star team and won a Silver Slugger award that season.
8. Melvin Upton Jr., LF
Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports8. Melvin Upton Jr., LF
After a rough two seasons with the Atlanta Braves, Melvin Upton Jr. showed improvement with the Padres last year, hitting .259/.327/.429 through 87 games. It will be interesting to see what the 31-year-old can do in 2016.
9. Tyson Ross, P
Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports9. Tyson Ross, P
Already named the Padres' opening day starter, Tyson Ross is set to go toe-to-toe with Kershaw to start the season. In his second season as a full-time starter, Ross had another strong year, going 10-12 with a 3.26 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP.
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