San Diego Padres: Twenty Reasons to be Thankful

It’s Thanksgiving day, a time to eat, relax, and count our blessings. As San Diego Padres fans, we have more to be thankful for than many realize. Today we point out twenty reasons we ought to feel fortunate.

Losing seasons are hard on fans, as they make it hard to see the potential in the future. For the San Diego Padres though, there is so much to look forward to.

With some of baseball’s best prospects ready to burst onto the scene, the team could contend within the next few years.

Today is Thanksgiving, our opportunity to count our blessings. While there is so much more to life than baseball, us Padres fans can still take this opportunity to give thanks for the potential this organization has.

The following is a list of the top twenty reasons for San Diego fans to be thankful.

1. The team isn’t going anywhere – Unlike the Chargers, San Diego is sure to be the permanent home of the Padres. The fact that we don’t have to worry about losing our baseball team is the biggest reason we have to be thankful.
2. Best fans in the world – There’s no better fans in baseball than us. We’ve proven this by sticking with our team through several difficult seasons, and bringing the same excitement and optimism every year.
3. Hunter Renfroe – See his stats through eleven major league games. Somehow, he’s only the third ranked prospect.
4. No ugly contracts – The Padres aren’t tied to any large contracts with underachievers. That in itself is a major positive.
5. No more Mike Dee – One of the team’s biggest problems is gone.
6. The trade issue is over – Finally, Preller can elude questions about his scandal. Time to move forward to more important and interesting things.
7. Hoffman could be HOF inductee – San Diego could see its tenth hall of fame inductee this July. Trevor Hoffman is on the ballot, and has a serious chance to be voted in.
8. Health restored for Ross – 2016’s ace may not be ready for Opening Day, but it appears he will be healthy for the bulk of 2017, as the Padres hoped.
9. Manuel Margot – The second ranked prospect is lighting it up in the AFL, and could provide a spark in the major league club’s roster in 2017.
10. No player over 30 – This may not come across as a blessing. After all, inexperience usually doesn’t lead to immediate success. But the fact that the organization is young is a great sign for the future.
11. Back end of the bullpen – No matter what anyone says about the pitching staff, they still have the back end of the bullpen solidified with Carter Capps and Brandon Maurer.
12. New uniforms – No matter what happens in 2017, the Padres will look nice.
13. Shortstop depth – The team has five shortstops in their top 30 prospects. This doesn’t even include current starter Luis Sardinas.
14. Not afraid – Reports have already come in that the Padres are looking at starting pitching also pursued by some of baseball’s highest paying teams. This is good news, as it reveals Preller’s willingness to compete with the best.
15. Anderson Espinoza – The team’s top prospect could pitch for the team as soon as 2019. The 18-year-old righty is nothing short of electric.
16. Andy Green – The team doesn’t appear to have any intentions of replacing their 39-year-old manager any time soon.
17. Low expectations – Expectations are about as low as they can get. This should help a young roster in 2017.
18. Wil Myers – If he is extended, everyone knows what he’s capable of. If he is traded, his value will still serve as a benefit to the organization.
19. Austin Hedges – Hedges is clearly the catcher of the future. If nothing else, him starting in 2017 means that fans won’t need to watch Derek Norris every day anymore.
20. Pitchers and catchers report in 82 days – It’s never too early to start counting down.

Next: Why Trading Wil Myers Makes Sense

Happy Thanksgiving to Padres fans everywhere! Have a wonderful holiday!