Father's Day

San Diego Padres 2007 record: 89-74 (3rd place in NL West)
2008 Prediction: 3rd in NL West


In

• Tadahito Iguchi (PHI) - signed to a 1 year, $4 million contract - 12/12/07
  
• Mark Prior (CHC) - signed to a 1 year, $1 million contract - 11/26/07
  
• Randy Wolf (LAD) - signed to a 1 year, $4.75 million - 12/9/07
  
• Jim Edmonds (STL) - acquired for David Freese - 12/14/07
  
• Robert Fick (WAS) - signed to a minor league contract - 1/3/08
  
• Greg Maddux (SD) - re-signed to a 1 year, $10 million contract - 11/20/07
  
• Jeff DaVanon (OAK) - signed to a minor league contract - 1/3/08
  
• Michael Barrett (SD) - re-signed to a 1 year, $3.5 million contract - 12/19/07
  

Out

• Mike Cameron (MIL) - signed to a 1 year, $5 million contract with a $10 million club option for 2009 - 1/14/08
  
• Marcus Giles (COL) - signed to a minor league contract - 1/8/08
  
• Geoff Blum (HOU) - signed to a 1 year, $1.1 million contract with a club option for 2009 - 11/20/07
  
• Doug Brocail (HOU) - signed to a 1 year, $2.5 million contract with a club option for 2009 - 11/27/07
  
• Brett Tomko (KC) - signed to a 1 year, $3 million contract - 1/21/08
  
• Milton Bradley (TEX) - signed to a 1 year, $5 million contract - 12/12/07
  
• Rob Mackowiak (WAS) - signed to a 1 year, $1.5 million contract - 12/13/07
  

Remaining Free Agents

Projected Opening Day Starters
C - Michael Barrett
1B - Adrian Gonzalez
2B - Tadahito Iguchi
3B - Kevin Kouzmanoff
SS - Khalil Greene
LF - Scott Hairston
CF - Jim Edmonds
RF - Brian Giles

Projected Opening Day Rotation
Jake Peavy
Chris Young
Greg Maddux
Randy Wolf
Mark Prior


Improvements: Edmonds may not be the hitter he once was, but the value he brings to center field and the clubhouse is worth trading for itself. The Padres also improved their second base situation, bringing in Tadahito Iguchi and his steady glove to team up with incumbent shortstop Khalil Greene as the double-play combination up the middle. And the logjam in the rotation may only end up bolstering the bullpen, as whoever loses their spot in the rotation (Mark Prior, Justin Germano and/or Clay Hensley) will just make the 'pen even deeper.
Lack of improvements: The Padres failed to adequately address their need for a hitter to protect Gonzalez. Edmonds is a good hitter, but not the power hitter he once was, and Brian Giles has been rather inconsistent over the past two seasons or so. The loss of Cameron will be felt in the lineup.
Keys to success: The Padres' rotation is very talented - but it is also very injury prone. Mark Prior and Randy Wolf have combined for 39 games started over the last 2 seasons. And while they might not be the liability David Wells was, their history of injuries is a cause for concern, and their health status will be critical for the Padres to succeed in 2008.