Padres Week in Review: 8/18 – 8/24

Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

General Thoughts

While for several weeks the Padres seemed like they might have it in them to make a second half push to the second wild card, this week dispelled all of that momentum. It will be interesting to see how Andrew Cashner responds the final month of the season. While has had a very good statistical season, he certainly failed to break out in a big way many expected, including myself. The injuries are certainly a concern, as remember this is a pitcher who came up as a reliever before the Padres converted him to starter. While any good bullpen arm is valuable, his impact to the Padres is DRAMATICALLY reduced as a starter. If Byrnes were still the GM – I would certainly say that the Padres would keep him as a starter until he can’t pitch any longer because he made the trade for Rizzo. The longer this goes on, the worse that trade looks for the Padres as Rizzo continues to mash and Cashner is on the shelf. However, if more shoulder issues crop out next season, I wonder if new GM Preller would make the call to put Cash back in the bullpen prolong his overall career and not fall victim to pride in hopes that Cashner can make good on the flashes of brilliance he has shown as a starter. Time will tell.

Cameron Maybin is another veteran Padre (and previous regime signee) who has a lot to show Preller in the remainder of the season. Can he stay healthy and clean to make valuable contributions to this baseball club? Like Cashner, he has shown flashes of being a dynamic force for the Padres, both offensively and defensively. Yet injuries have reduced his playing time the last two seasons to minimal innings and not enough time for the Padres to even evaluate him! Or perhaps that alone is enough for evaluation?