After a hectic offseason, the Padres are looking for a strong showing in Peoria, Arizona. Spring training kicks off there Thursday.
Last season the ball club bolstered its roster with veterans and All-Stars. That team finished second to last in their division.
It’s a year later, and All-Stars Justin Upton and Craig Kimbrel, along with fan favorites Ian Kennedy and Jedd Gyorko, are no longer with the team.
Pair that with rookie manager Andy Green making his major league debut and fans are bound to have concerns.
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Jay Paris of sports radio The Mighty 1090 said this season should be about rebuilding.
“They’re saying they want to compete this year and I believe that," Paris said. "But really this is about looking ahead and looking to the future.”
Paris regularly covers the Padres and said he thinks the offseason moves will eventually payoff.
"They got a pretty good bounty in return with young players," Paris said. "Some of those players won't be on the big-league squad this year, but they'll certainly see how the big-leaguers go about it."
Paris added that hard work in spring training will be crucial.
"What goes on in Arizona will probably be an indicator of what could happen moving forward," Paris said. "It's clear they need to get out fast and they need to disprove the naysayers who say this is going to be another long season."
The Padres' full squad reports Feb. 23, with practice games starting in early March.
