5 questions facing the Padres as spring training approaches

Who's the Padres' starting center fielder?

Currently, the Padres have only two outfielders (Jose Azocar and Fernando Tatis Jr.) on the 40-man roster, and neither player has extensive time patrolling center field in the majors. So, how long will the front office wait before signing a proven option?

You get the feeling that Padres president of baseball operations and general manager AJ Preller is less than enthusiastic about what is available in the marketplace. But someone will get the job by default. Unfortunately, no one has a clue on that name yet.

The Friar Faithful could see the debut of Jakob Marsee or Jackson Merrill, as each player is poised to contribute at the major league level in 2024. The Padres must refrain from rushing either player through their minor league system, however it may come down to solving a problem in the present by sacrificing their future.

Another option is trading for a serviceable center fielder, but the market is overflowing with corner outfielders. And since the Padres are toeing the fine line of contending/retooling, fans doubt they'd pay a high price for an All-Star level player should that become available. You never know, but the options are limited and trades become less and less likely as we get closer to Opening Day.

Will Jake Cronenworth rebound for Padres in 2024?

Jake Cronenworth had a disappointing 2023 season. He hit .229 with 10 home runs and 48 RBI. His supporters suspect the poor hitting campaign was due to Cronenworth switching positions (second to first base). Despite all the extra pregame batting practice, he could never get on track at the plate.

Cronenworth was quietly (per reports) made available on the trade market earlier this offseason. It was never clear if the Padres were close to consummating a deal. But if he can regain his stroke as a run-producing left-handed hitter, it may force postseason contenders to pursue Cronenworth before this summer’s trade deadline if the Pads are still open to moving him.

With the departure of Soto from the lineup, the Padres can ill afford to have Cronenworth struggle offensively in 2024. Hopefully, he can rebound with a temporary move back to second base until Machado proves he can return to the defensive side of the ball.

Who is the Padres' closer for the 2024 season?

The departure of Josh Hader via free agency has created an opening in the Padres bullpen at the closer position. Robert Suarez, Yuki Matsui, and Woo-Suk Go are the leading candidates for the job heading into spring training. But none have a proven track record in the majors.

Suarez has struggled with his command late in close games. He seems better suited to pitch out of the setup role. Matsui and Go have been successful closers in Nippon Professional Baseball and KBO, respectively. But no one can predict how they will perform until each reliever gets on a mound and pitches in save situations.

Expectations are high as Suarez, Matsui, and Go are projected to become key pieces of the Padres bullpen. However, concerns should also be high, as no one knows what to expect from each pitcher.

Will the gradual decline of Xander Bogaerts continue for Padres?

Let’s not mince our words: Xander Bogaerts’ offensive production is slowing down. He has not hit over 20 HRs since 2021. Last season’s RBI total (58) was the lowest for Bogaerts in a full season since 2017 (62). For a 31-year-old shortstop, this is a troubling trend.

Defensively, Bogaerts’ glove is average and very much not spectacular. Granted, he will field every ground ball hit directly at him. But his range to the hole and up the middle is less than desirable.

So, what is Bogaerts' value to the 2024 Friars? He needs to get reacquainted with his bat and provide production that attracts interest at the trade deadline. Postseason contenders are always looking for reinforcements for their existing lineup. If Bogaerts can have a renaissance at the plate, he could gain some attraction on the market. The Padres may have to eat some of his guaranteed money to secure a top prospect.

That's one option. Trading him with nine-plus years left on his contract isn't the most realistic endeavor, so the best outcome would be Bogaerts returning to his All-Star form and provide top-tier offense from the shortstop position. That would be a big help in the Padres' quest to contend for a playoff spot.

However, if Bogaerts continues to decline, it will only get uglier before his contract expires in 2033. Let’s hope he regains his skills for the sake of the 2024 Friars.