Padres Week 1 Review: Yuck

With week one in the books for the 2013 season, you don't have to be a diehard Padres fan to know that this team is in serious trouble.  In fact, you didn't even have to pay attention to most of the games to know this.  The record speaks for itself...1-5, tied for worst in MLB with the Astros, Brewers, Pirates, and Marlins.  Sure, the Padres aren't alone in the basement, but losing getting their asses handed to them by the Mets and Rockies, two teams likely to finish below .500 themselves, is rarely suggestive of a team that is going to be competitive.  However, the Padres have been the worst of the worst by recording a run differential of -26.  That's right.  In six games, the Padres have been outscored 14-40 and are ranked 29th in runs scored and ERA.  Yikes, indeed.



Obviously, it's way too early in the season to start freaking out and penciling in a last place finish for the Padres, but the front office did the Padres players and fans absolutely no favors this off-season.  Well...outside of Huston Street and Carlos Quentin, that is.  When Ron Fowler took control of the team, we had hope that this would finally be the turning point for a woeful franchise still aching from the empty promises of the Moores and Moorad regimes.  Instead, we appear to be getting more of the same.  The Padres had multiple opportunities to shore up a weak and injured roster...particularly the starting rotation, and Josh Byrnes inexplicably did nothing except sign 37-year old journeyman infielder Cody Ransom who, like many recent free agent pickups for the Padres, would likely be out of baseball if it weren't for a little San Diego desperation.  When Edinson Volquez is your ace, your pitching staff immediately loses credibility.  It is highly unfortunate that Cory Luebke, Casey Kelly, and Joe Wieland have all had to undergo Tommy John surgery, but Byrnes knew that those three arms would be unable to make any sort of major contribute for the 2013 season and he still chose to ride the arms of Volquez, Richard, Marquis, Stults, and Tyson Ross...hardly an intimidating rotation.

There is still a lot of season left, but our already low expectations just hit the floor only one week into the new season.  Sure, getting Headley and Grandal back will help, but if the Padres can't keep runs off the board, any offensive contributions they may make will be all for naught.  This could get ugly, folks.