MLB Insider Feels Padres 'Slapped Together' Group of Stars Are Lacking Chemistry

MLB insider feels Frairs are taking talent over chemistry mindset

Your San Diego Padres have had a rough start to the 2023 season. They have struggled mightily in almost all facets of the game, especially at the batter's box. Yes, the spot where they have a ton of superstar talent is struggling to get hits, get runs, and bring in runners from scoring position. 

They have yet to catch their stride, and it's fair to say (right now) if they will ever catch their stride. We're not quite sure why they're struggling so much; we could point to the simple cop-out and say, "It's baseball," however, it could be more than that. MLB insider for the Atheltic Ken Rosenthal believes it could be chemistry or lack thereof, as they're just throwing all this talent into one team. 

What I’m talking about is more identity than chemistry, though chemistry is part of it. The Dodgers have it, which is one reason they won their 11th straight regular-season series against the Padres this weekend, sweeping three games at Dodger Stadium. The Padres, for all the money they’ve spent, all the star power they’ve collected, are more a collection of individuals than a cohesive unit...

The Padres are a top-heavy, slapped-together collection of imported stars.

Through recent years, the Padres have been known to collect superstar talent at all costs and expect to win on that alone. Although that's the first step in building a great team, it's not the best and only way to do it. Many of the Friars' players aren't homegrown talent; as a matter of fact, they've gotten rid of many of their homegrown talents due to the star players they've acquired. 

And it hasn't worked out for the Padres. Their most successful season came in 2022, but that only resulted in an NLCS appearance where they got bounced in five games. Outside of that, they have yet to win their division in over a decade or reach a 90-win season in 13 years. 

The Padres may need a long look in the mirror to figure out how to get out of this funk and build some actual chemistry within the team instead of depending on their individual talent.