Padres Remain Atop MLB Power Rankings Despite Silent Offseason

Oct 8, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) celebrates after hitting a home run in the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game three of the NLDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Petco Park.  Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
Oct 8, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) celebrates after hitting a home run in the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game three of the NLDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images / Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
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When it comes to a preseason Major League Baseball power rankings, it's safe to assume that the Los Angeles Dodgers are the early favorite — but the San Diego Padres should be considered a top contender despite their much quieter offseason.

How does top five sound?

In a preseason power ranking from Bleacher Report, the Padres are ranked fifth.

"The San Diego Padres have the potential to be a World Series contender, but there are some holes on their roster that need to be filled between now and Opening Day," Joel Reuter wrote.

"Tirso Ornelas (left field), Eguy Rosario (designated hitter) and Randy Vásquez (starting rotation) are all currently penciled into prominent roles on the projected roster, but A.J. Preller took a similar approach to waiting out the market last offseason," Reuter added.

The possibility of bringing back Jurickson Profar in left field is long gone after he agreed to a deal with the Atlanta Braves, and the addition of a mid-level starter could fill the No. 4 spot in the rotation.

Despite some work left to finalize the roster, the team boasts plenty of star power and promising young talent on the rise.

More news: Padres Predicted to Acquire $56M Cy Young Winner in Blockbuster Trade

Ranked ahead of the Padres are the Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves, New York Mets, and Dodgers.

While San Diego has been quieter than their National League West rival Dodgers this winter, that could all change soon, according to MLB insider Alden Gonzalez.

"And because the free agent class has dwindled significantly and money remains tight in San Diego, look for Preller to swing a big trade before spring training -- the type we have seen from him often," Gonzalez wrote. "Holes remain in the Padres' rotation and throughout their lineup. Dylan Cease, Robert Suarez, Luis Arraez and Jake Cronenworth can all be had, and the guess here is that at least one of those four will go. Preller has stood pat for far too long. It won't continue."

Waiting to make a move closer to the start of spring training isn't unfamiliar for president of baseball operations A.J. Preller. In February 2024, the Padres agreed to a one-year deal with Profar and then in March, the Padres traded for Dylan Cease from the Chicago White Sox.

“We’ve seen offseasons where we’ve been really aggressive and been able to line up on moves early in the offseason and other years, like last year, where it was later in the process,” Preller said, via Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune. “… We’ve got a really good core and good foundation we like a lot, and we’ve got some needs as well.”

If Preller isn't panicking, then the Friar Faithful shouldn't either.

More news: MLB Insider Predicts Padres Make Blockbuster Trade Before Offseason Concludes


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Maren Angus-Coombs
MAREN ANGUS-COOMBS

Maren Angus-Coombs was born in Los Angeles and raised in Nashville, Tenn. She is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and has been a sports writer since 2008. Despite being raised in the South, her sports obsession has always been in Los Angeles. She is currently a staff writer for the LA Sports Report Network.