Offensive upgrades needed for Padres at deadline
Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
If the San Diego Padres plan to play deep into the postseason, then offensive upgrades are needed.
Currently, the Padres rank near the bottom in team OPS (.691/20th), batting average (.241/16th), home runs (68/24th), and slugging percentage (.375/26th).
That will not cut it. The starting staff gives the Padres a fighting chance, but the team needs to improve in order to win a playoff series. Runs need to be manufactured in a playoff-type atmosphere. San Diego cannot rely on its pitching staff to completely shut down its opponent.
Manny Machado and a healthy Fernando Tatis Jr. cannot carry this team. They need more.
The Padres have received minimal production from their outfield in 2022.
Trent Grisham has regressed so much that Bob Melvin will not place him at the top of the lineup. His .616 OPS is killing the team, and to top it off, the outfielder has taken a step back with his defense. Wil Myers is currently on the IL with a sore knee and seems uncertain to return at 100 percent this season. Jurickson Profar and his .745 OPS are a pleasant surprise for the team, but you get a sense the Padres would be more comfortable with him as a No. 4 outfielder coming off the bench.
Austin Nola has given way to Jorge Alfaro in terms of playing time, as the former Mariner is simply not producing at the plate. His .603 OPS is one of the worst in the league.
With the loss of Fernando Tatis Jr. to begin the season, the team gave Ha-Seong Kim the lion’s share of playing time in the infield. The Korean infielder has improved on his rookie season, but his .678 OPS is below average in terms of offensive numbers. Thankfully, for the Padres, Tatis will return soon, and that provides the anemic offense an instant boost.
Eric Hosmer started the season on fire, recording a 1.054 OPS in his first 20 games. Unfortunately, the first baseman has been horrible in his last two months, recording a .654 and a .567 OPS in May and June. At first base, a position of traditional offensive prowess, the Padres have received very little.
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Luke Voit and Jake Cronenworth each enjoyed hot streaks at the plate this season, pushing their numbers up, but each man could very easily be more effective with the bat. They both are capable of more.
Only Manny Machado is enjoying an above-average season with the bat. If this trend continues, things will not end positively for the Padres come playoff time.
Paging A.J. Preller. You are needed. And the moves you make in the coming weeks could be huge for the future of this franchise.
James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.
Since the Padres have become desperate for offense, maybe it’s time to bite the bullet and give Yasiel Puig another chance. Maybe he has learned a lesson and can keep his temper in line.
AJ Preller trying to arm his team at the trade deadline is like Barney Fife trying to load his weapon.