Padres Editorial: My Padres 2015 Season Predictions

Sep 9,2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starter Andrew Cashner delivers a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

2015 Storylines

“Padres Compete All Season, But Fall Just Short.” I see a lot of parallels between this team and the 2014 Mariners, who still had a chance to make the playoffs on the last day of the season. The Padres will compete all year long and will play tag with the other Wild Card teams for the top spot. I see the Padres competing into late September but ultimately will fall just short. But if they can retain their pieces into 2016, the entire MLB better take notice. The season ends with people being impressed with the Padres and will have them as the team to beat in the NL West in 2016.

“Andrew Cashner Has Season Worthy of Remembrance.”  Cashner will make the Padres forget they almost had Cole Hamels. In fact, Cashner will get Cy Young consideration by achieving 15 wins and at least 175 strikeouts. The rotation will turn into one of the best in the National League with Tyson Ross and Ian Kennedy having strong campaigns too.

“Padres Need to Move On From Amarista.” The Padres extended Amarista this off-season. He has been a great utility, “plug and play” kind of player. He hit .239 with 5 HRs in 2014. He hasn’t hit above .240 in any of his three seasons with the Padres. As this season progresses, the Padres will find out that Amarista is not the answer at shortstop and they must look elsewhere.