MLB.com’s Jim Duquette Believes Padres Won The Off-Season

More off-season winners and losers are coming out as all of the pundits are weighing in since spring training is less than three weeks away. This time, it’s MLB.com and former New York Mets GM Jim Duquette’s turn to talk about who won the off-season. Wouldn’t you know it, the Padres are his top choice, followed by the Red Sox, White Sox, Marlins and the Cubs.

Here’s what Duquette said:

"New general manager A.J. Preller has impressed in his first 90 days on the job, improving the worst offense in MLB in 2014 by acquiring a whole new outfield, including two of the premium power hitters in the game in Matt Kemp and Justin Upton. Mix in outfielder Wil Myers and catcher Derek Norris and they should hit more than enough homers to make up for the high strikeout totals and below-average defense."

Should the Padres be better offensively? Yes. Will they be worse defensively? Probably. Will that cost them a game or two this season? Surely. The Padres also don’t have a typical leadoff hitter right now.

Our own Keegan Tatum gave the idea of Norris being a lead-off guy because of hit OBP abilities.  At this point, I would have to say that’s the idea that makes the most sense. However, you do want to see a little more speed at the top.

Paper championships mean nothing. As I’ve stated before, winning the off-season means nothing. It’s about winning a ring, something the Padres have never done. It’s going to be a fun year and hopefully a winning one as well.

Next: Padres Options At Shortstop

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