[Hendu Style]

Tuesday -- February 24th, 1998

1998 Padres Preview
Padres spent millions in the offseason, but will it result in a title?

The San Diego Padres may continue to come up short in the postseason, but they never seem to fail to deliver in the offseason. The Padres enter Spring Training with a renewed optimism after perhaps their most productive winter yet under general manager Jack McKeon.

First came the trade for Gary Sheffield, bringing the 1993 NL MVP back to America's Finest City. Then came a deal with Anaheim for two-time All-Star Jim Edmonds, that sent Ken Caminiti and Alex Gonzalez to the Angels. That would've been more than enough for most teams. Then "Trader Jack" scoured the free agent market, landing two significant signings.

"We had to do something to replace all the guys we lost in the expansion draft," McKeon told reporters during the team's first media availability during Spring Training in Peoria, Arizona. "The Diamondbacks and Devil Rays raided our roster, and I can't blame them. So we had to put our money to good use."

The losses of Matt Stairs ($3.1 million), Reggie Sanders ($1.1 million), Tony Fernandez ($900,000), and Homer Bush ($139,000) freed up over $5 million in payroll for San Diego to spend in free agency. Outfielder Cliff Floyd came to San Diego on an 8-year, $24.9 million contract, and first baseman Ryan Klesko signed for $12 million over five years. Their combined annual salary will be $5.5 million.

The addition of Floyd and Klesko makes for some interesting position battles in the Cactus League. The Padres hope to keep prized prospect Derrek Lee in Triple-A Las Vegas for one more year. If that's the case, the team could try Jim Edmonds out at first base, creating a little bit of breathing room in a crowded outfield. But that means Klesko will be relegated to a backup role at first base behind Edmonds, a .300 hitter last year for the Angels.

"We were upfront with Ryan when we signed him," McKeon said. "He will be given the opportunity to compete for playing time in the infield and outfield. May the best man win."

Floyd faces a similar predicament. He hit a career-high 20 home runs for the Expos last season, but is expected to serve as the team's fourth outfielder behind Gary Sheffield, Brian Giles, and Tony Gwynn. At-bats may be hard to come by for the 25 year-old, though he could play his way into the starting lineup if the team considers moving Sheffield back to third base.

That job is Phil Nevin's to lose coming into Spring Training. The 27 year-old Fullerton native has hit .232 with just 3 home runs in 86 games spread out over parts of three MLB seasons. But should he falter, it would come as no surprise if Sheffield returned to his native third base, though Padres management refutes that notion.

Top prospect Miguel Tejada seems primed to take over as the team's starting shortstop after hitting .235 in a late-season call-up last year. 10-year veteran Roberto Alomar will be the club's Opening Day second baseman, looking to bounce back from a career-worst .248 in an injury-plagued 1997 season. Two-time NL MVP Mike Piazza is the incumbent starting catcher, and will be backed up by Sandy Alomar Jr.

San Diego's starting rotation nervously awaits the return of Kevin Brown. The right-hander is entering the final stages of rehab from surgery on his elbow that cost him the final months of the regular season and the entire offseason. If his rehab remains on track, he should rejoin the team and start throwing by mid-March. He will be joined by 4-time Cy Young winner Greg Maddux (22-9, 2.83 ERA last season) and David Wells (16-7, 2.88 ERA) at the top of the rotation. Dustin Hermanson, Matt Clement, and free agent signee Bobby Jones will all compete for spots, as will Woody Williams and Bob Tewksbury.

"It's wide open," McKeon said of the rotation. "We signed a lot of guys this winter, but only a few will make the Opening Day roster."

San Diego's owner, Joan Kroc, publicly stated that she wanted to see the team win another championship this year, and demanded that McKeon improve the team's situation at first base, and get a locally popular player. McKeon delivered by acquiring Jim Edmonds. Only time will tell if he, and the Padres, can deliver that long-awaited title.