5 questions facing the Padres as spring training approaches

It has been a long, torturous offseason for the Friar Faithful. We have seen San Diego Padres manager Bob Melvin move up north to lead the division-rival San Francisco Giants in 2024. Also, we bid farewell to superstar outfielder Juan Soto, who was dealt in a blockbuster trade to the Bronx this winter. Lastly, the franchise and town mourned the death of our leader, Peter Seidler.

But hope springs eternal, and the 2024 baseball season officially begins with pitchers and catchers reporting on February 11. The Padres have five questions that need to be answered before meaningful games are played.

Can Manny Machado stay healthy enough for Padres to play third base all season long?

Manny Machado’s surgically repaired right elbow will draw attention in Peoria this spring. He's recovering from surgery that repaired the extensor tendon, and the recovery time is usually 4-6 months. Machado went under the knife in early October, so he may have to be a DH at the start of the 2024 season.

We are not talkng about an inconsequential player, as the Friar Faithful would argue Machado is the face of the franchise. And his health status needs to be answered before the start of the regular season. If Machado is on the injured list, the media will speculate on the health of his elbow.

In professional sports, there's a chance an athlete will need more time than expected to come back from an offseason surgery. Luckily, the Friars have infield depth if Machado cannot play the field for an extended period. Ha-Seong Kim can move over from second base to fill the position. Unfortunately, we will not get answers until Machado arrives in Peoria for full-squad workouts, but the fate of the Padres likely hinges partially on Machado's ability to play both sides of the ball every day.

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 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.