Well...

I have tried to understand the Padres dilemma. I have tried to put a positive spin on all the news that has come out. I have read the Sports Illustrated honest evaluation of the upcoming season. I have heard how Jake Peavy will stay in San Diego if the Pads stay in contention. I have witnessed how the pitching problems grow rather than stabilize or improve. I have listened to the season ticket sellers find a way to drop the ball on getting their customers back. Hey, and this list just goes on and on...
Chris Young in his last tune up for the regular season got pummeled by the Mariners...Our No. 3 guy is injured, our No. 4 and 5 have been shelled...the bullpen hasn't fared much better...our best hitter in the Cactus got send down to the AAA club...I'm talking Kyle Blanks...I told you to watch how the management dealt with him...
I have listened to the MLB network have a field day on the Pads...and the NL West in general...oh yea...but I have heard of the new approach by hitting coach Jim Lefebvre...line drives and all...put the ball in play...move runners up...fewer strikeouts...
So I have come up with my own prognostication...after a full winter season of sifting through the days and days of moves (or lack thereof)...here goes...
Pitching: Will be the worst in the league. After Peavy we are in dire straits...not the 4 and 5 guy but 2 through 5...the bullpen is still being assembled and that can't be good for anyone. If we can get to our closer he is an improvement...but with how Mgr. Black stays with his starters too long it just is a recipe for disaster...
Catching: The Pads go out and get an insurance for the starter Hundley and find Henry Blanco...a guy who is playing in the WBC...and well I might add...and suddenly, you guessed it...he is the starter...and an improvement! This is a key move for the Pads as they are going to work harder than any single position player on this team.
Infield: New 2b/SS combo in Rodriguez and Eckstein...the corners stay the same...going to have a lot of balls hit at them...not a lot of faith in their defense...so this may be frustrating...
Outfield: No moves here. Decent speed and OK arms...
Offense: IFF the hitting improves and this team is able to muster up at least 5 runs per game there is a chance...somebody has to step up after AGonzo and solidify the No. 5 batting spot...Eckstein has to get on base and run...Headley has to move a notch up...
Manager: Bud Black has to be more aggressive on the bases...has to go to his bullpen quicker...for as bad as it is, it is better than the starters...can he last the season?
Finally: Can the fans get in to this group? As we know, winning cures all. But is that possible? Can they escape the cellar? Think about that. Can the players think like that? It's all in the hitting approach by the Pads. If they apply the put it in play routine...they will improve!
Well...it's time to play the games and see what we have here...