Padres Are NL’s Most Interesting Team

Sep 19, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves left fielder Justin Upton (8) hits a single against the New York Mets in the fourth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

If there is one thing that is certain this offseason, it’s that the San Diego Padres do not want to be the worst run-scoring offense in the National League in 2015.

This comes on the heels of the Padres acquiring outfielder Justin Upton from the Atlanta Braves and finalizing the deal with the Tampa Bay Rays for outfielder Wil Myers Friday. These two deals follow the finalization of the Matt Kemp deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday. Kemp (25 HR, 89 RBI) was one of the more productive players in all of the majors during the second half of the 2014 season.

There was speculation Upton would be dealt after the Braves dismal season and now that he brings his power to the Padres, the middle of the lineup will be the very best in the NL West. The Padres basically guarantee their fans they are all in to put a winner on the field in 2015.

The team already has some strong pitching as they ranked in the top-10 in ERA, quality starts, WHIP and batting average against last season. While there is concern with Kemp’s health, Upton’s value and Myers’ potential, there is no doubt if these players can all play 135-plus games runs will not be a problem. It is possible the trio could combine for nearly 300 RBI on 80-plus home runs. Kemp may not be the player he was when he was considered the best player in the NL in 2011, but he is still a very good player. Upton is not the most consistent player, but with all the bad, he still hit .270 and smacked 29 homers with 102 RBI. Myers could be the most intriguing player of the three if — and it is a big if — his potential comes to fruition.

Obviously paper teams don’t win championship, but any fan base would love to see their team do exactly what the Padres have been doing this offseason — including the Pittsburgh Pirates.