SportsNation Blog Archives
San Diego Padres
Opening Day -- well, Opening Night, really, and we technically already had one of those in Japan, but who's counting? -- is finally here, as the Cardinals will take on the Marlins tonight in the first stateside regular-season MLB game. It's bound to be an exciting season with so many players having changed teams, but has the power structure been altered significantly?
Vote: Pick each division and pennant, and the winner of the World Series
Rank: Baseball's best teams? | Top players in the game?
World Series repeat?
The Cardinals prevailed over the Rangers in the 2011 World Series, but St. Louis lost its biggest gun this past offseason ...
Best player?
... which is a pretty big loss, considering he might be one of the best players of all time.
Odd one out?
The Red Sox missed the playoffs last season after an epic September collapse. Will they be on the outside looking in once again?
AL's best?
Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols were probably the two biggest additions to teams in the American League, meaning the balance of power could shift.
NL's best?
Likewise, the addition of Jose Reyes to the Marlins could give the team a huge upgrade -- offensively with new third baseman Hanley Ramirez, and defensively at shortstop.
We can understand if you don't want to take the time to grade your tech-support help on the other end of the telephone, but when we're talking about the dollars and emotion you've invested in sports, we think it's worth the effort. It's time for ESPN The Magazine's Ultimate Standings, in which SportsNation grades organizations on everything from ticket prices and stadium experience to the talent on the field, court or rink. Which team will end up on top this year? It depends on what you say.
Take part in the 2011 MLB survey
2010 MLB Ultimate Standings
1. Los Angeles Angels (Overall: No. 3)
2. Tampa Bay Rays (Overall: No. 6)
3. Colorado Rockies (Overall: No. 13)
4. Minnesota Twins (Overall: No. 14)
5. Atlanta Braves (Overall: No. 15)
Take part in the 2011 NFL survey
2010 NFL Ultimate Standings
1. New Orleans Saints (Overall: No. 1)
2. Indianapolis Colts (Overall: No. 4)
3. Green Bay Packers (Overall: No. 9)
4. Arizona Cardinals (Overall: No. 19)
5. Baltimore Ravens (Overall: No. 20)
Take part in the 2011 NBA survey
2010 NBA Ultimate Standings
1. Orlando Magic (Overall: No. 2)
2. San Antonio Spurs (Overall: No. 7)
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (Overall: No. 10)
4. Dallas Mavericks (Overall: No. 24)
5. Oklahoma City Thunder (Overall: No. 25)
Take part in the 2011 NHL survey
2010 NHL Ultimate Standings
1. Pittsburgh Penguins (Overall: No. 5)
2. Detroit Red Wings (Overall: No. 8)
3. Washington Capitals (Overall: No. 11)
4. San Jose Sharks (Overall: No. 12)
5. Chicago Blackhawks (Overall: No. 16)
- Rank 'Em: Where do Gonzalez and Werth rank among MLB's best players?
- Vote: Is Gonzalez the best 1B in the AL East? | Was Werth's contract reasonable?
Baseball's hot stove always seems to flare up in spurts. Weeks of inactivity go by with rumors flying but few trades surfacing. Then, in the course of a weekend, everything can change.
The Red Sox's long pursuit of Adrian Gonzalez finally came to an end, as Boston will trade several young prospects for the chance to add a hugely important left-handed bat to its lineup. Gonzalez seems tailor-made for Fenway Park and instantly changes the balance of power in the AL East. Meanwhile, the Nationals made their biggest free-agent signing ever, inking Jayson Werth to a seven-year, $126 million contract. Werth is a big-time talent, but the Nationals may have overpaid in their pursuit of true relevance. Would you rather have the slugging excellence of Gonzalez or the five-tool consistency of Werth?
- "I'm not sure there's another hitter in the league better-suited to absolutely RAKE at Fenway park than Gonzalez. A left-handed slugger with power to all fields, especially left? Thank you very much Santa, your early Christmas present is appreciated." -- skidemon166
- "Too many years. Werth is a great player though. It will be worth it early in the contract. But I don't see good productivity coming from him when he's 37/38. I hope he doesn't take replacing Dunn into mind and try to put a lot of shot out of the park." -- GoMets210
1. Who would you rather have: Gardenhire or Black?
Neither of their teams advanced in the playoffs, but both Ron Gardenhire and Bud Black have been deemed Managers of the Year for their respective leagues. Gardenhire had to make do without Justin Morneau for much of the season, while Black had to contend with an offense that featured Adrian Gonzalez ... and that's pretty much it. Which manager would you rather have?
- "Bud Black took the Padres further then even the most hard core Padres fans thought possible. A well deserved honor for a job well done." -- SN commenter dbf320
- Rank 'Em: Do the Padres crack the top five in your MLB Power Rankings?
- Vote: Will the Padres hold their lead in the NL West?
The standings say the San Diego Padres own the best record in the National League as play begins Monday, riding a four-game winning streak out of the All-Star break to some breathing room in the NL West. The statistics say no team in either league has allowed fewer runs than the Padres, fueling the best run differential in the National League.
Is SportsNation -- which ranked the Padres behind the Yankees, Rays, Braves, Rangers and Red Sox at midseason -- selling San Diego short or showing sage skepticism?
Arguing for the prosecution ...
- "The problem with the Padres is their total lack of offense. Other than AGon, they have nobody (and I mean nobody) that strikes fear in opposing pitchers, and while the Pads have gotten by with stellar pitching in the first half - it'll be tough for that to continue." -- SN commenter Hendo_Rules
And arguing for the defense ...
- "Seriously, the Padres have been the most consistent NL team the whole year and have never had a losing streak go further than 3 games. Not to mention having the best run differential in baseball behind only the Yankees and Rays. It's just odd to me that all the "experts" preach about how important pitching and defense is and how it wins championships, so the Padres are the best pitching team in the majors and are tied for the best fielding percentage in the majors as well but all anybody wants to talk about is how they dont hit ...? -- SN commenter cjohnson20
Mark (San Diego)
Are the Padres [going] to move Adrian Gonzalez in the off season if a contract can't be agreed upon? It would seem to be the smart thing to do. They could probably get a huge package in return.
Jayson Stark
That's what I think almost has to happen. They're not going to be able to sign him. And they certainly can't trade him now, when they're in first place. But this winter will be a time to establish once and for all that he's not signable (by them, anyway). And once that's out there, I think even the people in San Diego who love him will understand that they have to deal him. Full transcript
Let's just say SportsNation wasn't bullish on the Padres when the season began. If voters could have slipped some Pacific Coast League teams ahead of the team from San Diego, well, the Fresno Grizzlies look pretty good this season. As it was, voters ranked the Padres behind every team but the Royals, Pirates and Nationals.
Yet here we are with Memorial Day approaching and Bud Black's team is in first in the NL West. In looking at some of the season's biggest surprises, Jerry Crasnick suggests Adrian Gonzalez needs more help but does find some reasons for continued optimism.
- "Two positive signs: The Padres have a run differential of plus-45, second best in the National League. They're also 14-9 on the road, so their staff isn't just a Petco Park mirage. Young Mat Latos, in particular, is earning rave reviews throughout the league." -- Read Crasnick's Starting 9.
It's not just the Padres. Check out the upward mobility of some of the season's biggest surprises through the lens of SportsNation's Power Rankings.
trevor (ca)
which of your top three surprises is most likely to keep surprising?
Jerry Crasnick
Trevor, The only reason I think San Diego can hang around longer than Toronto is that the Padres play in the NL West. But they really need someone to step up and take the pressure off Adrian Gonzalez. Remember, Toronto started off quickly last year, then faded in June and July. That AL East is a bear. Full transcript
It's just like the census, only this one is fun and doesn't come in the mail. And nobody from FOX News or MSNBC will yell at you about it. It's time for ESPN The Magazine's Ultimate Standings, in which SportsNation grades organizations on everything from ticket prices and stadium experience to the talent on the field, court or rink. Which team will end up on top this year? It depends on what you say.
Take part in the 2010 MLB survey
2009 MLB Ultimate Standings
1. Los Angeles Angels (Overall: No. 1)
2. Milwaukee Brewers (Overall: No. 7)
3. Tampa Bay Rays (Overall: No. 16)
4. Minnesota Twins (Overall: No. 23)
5. Philadelphia Phillies (Overall: No. 24)
Take part in the 2010 NFL survey
2009 NFL Ultimate Standings
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (Overall: No. 3)
2. Green Bay Packers (Overall: No. 13)
3. Indianapolis Colts (Overall: No. 14)
4. Tennessee Titans (Overall: No. 15)
5. New England Patriots (Overall: No. 19)
Take part in the 2010 NBA survey
2009 NBA Ultimate Standings
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (Overall: No. 5)
2. San Antonio Spurs (Overall: No. 9)
3. New Orleans Hornets (Overall: No. 12)
4. Houston Rockets (Overall: No. 17)
5. Orlando Magic (Overall: No. 18)
Take part in the 2010 NHL survey
2009 NHL Ultimate Standings
1. Carolina Hurricanes (Overall: No. 2)
2. Detroit Red Wings (Overall: No. 4)
3. Washington Capitals (Overall: No. 6)
4. Pittsburgh Penguins (Overall: No. 8)
5. St. Louis Blues (Overall: No. 10)
The trade deadline has passed, and big names keep being announced as the dust clears. Perhaps the biggest name moved was Indians C/1B Victor Martinez (to the Red Sox), but the White Sox also made a splash with the acquisition of Jake Peavy. Both players strengthen their respective new teams, but are they all that's left?
Rob Neyer can't tell you that; he's not a psychic, people. But the man's full of analysis over what definitely did happen.
Sean (New Haven)
Can you discuss Masterson in Cleveland? Immediately into the rotation, Stretch in AAA or will he remain in the bullpen until Spring? What's his outlook in that park? I love his stuff.
Rob Neyer
I love his stuff, too. But he's got a 1.63 K/BB ratio as a starter in the majors, and that's more of what the Indians don't need. Not saying he can't improve, but he's far from a sure thing as a starter.
Seth (Portland, ME)
Who will catch Wakefield when he returns now that V-Mart is here? Tek usually hasn't usually and right now Kottaras does right now, will V-Mart be able to catch the knuckleball?
Keith Law
I think probably not, but 1) as I mentioned earlier, Kid '66 is still on the DL, 2) September and the bigger rosters are just a few weeks away, 3) Martinez figures to play a lot of first base, and 4) Wakefield doesn't figure to pitch a lot in October. Problem solved!individual players, like the Alvarez over Posey/Smoak decision. Full transcript.
We're poised on the precipice of the second half, caught between the cold reality of the first half of the season and the limitless potential of the second half. We're ... bored. Seriously, the Triple-A All-Star Game is all we get today? Couldn't the Nationals and Pirates play at least? It's not like their rosters are exactly swamped with All-Star Game obligations.
A practice round from the British Open? A midweek NASCAR race? Give us something.
It's the slowest day in sports, but that does give us the chance to look back and look ahead. We've been surveying SportsNation for the best each team had to offer before the break. Some of these votes are closer than the Minnesota Senate race, but the leaders as of Wednesday morning are as follows:
National League Team MVP
Dodgers: Andre Ethier
Phillies: Raul Ibanez
Giants: Tim Lincecum
Cardinals: Yadier Molina (non-Pujols)
Rockies: Brad Hawpe
Brewers: Prince Fielder
Marlins: Hanley Ramirez
Astros: Miguel Tejada
Cubs: Derrek Lee
Braves: Brian McCann
Reds: Brandon Phillips
Mets: David Wright
Pirates: Freddy Sanchez
Diamondbacks: Dan Haren
Padres: Adrian Gonzalez
Nationals: Ryan Zimmerman
SportsNation is clear on two things when it comes to tonight's All-Star Game in St. Louis. First, the American League is going to win. And second, a good chunk of the 'Nation isn't happy about it.
Just like political elections (only with much younger combatants, except in the cases of Jamie Moyer and Tim Wakefield), the All-Star Game brings out the regional divisisions in all of us. From sea to shining sea, there are distinct bands of support for the American League and National League. And just like the elections, there are some familiar swing states.
Florida: With both the Marlins and Rays, the state is up for grabs. But barring a recount, the AL holds a 53-47 edge, perhaps thanks to AL East retirees.
California: The A's and Angels never stood a chance against the longstanding order of the Dodgers, Giants and Padres (sound familiar in the Golden State?). The National League holds a commanding 65-35 lead for the hearts and minds of Californians.
Ohio: What should be a battlegrouind between the Reds in the south and the Indians in the north is surprisingly one-sided, 62-38, in favor the American League.
Wisconsin: It hasn't taken Wisconsin long to adapt to life in the National League. In fact, at 82 percent support, it's the NL's biggest stronghold in the country.
Next week in chat: James Carville and Mary Matalin on the wild-card races! (not really).
- Have you switched league alleigances in your life? Vote on All-Star Game issues.
- Voters don't think the All-Star Game should decide home-field advantage.
- 'Nation agrees with Roy Halladay over Zack Greinke for American League.
- Chat: Ask Joe Morgan about the National League's golden years at 1 p.m. ET.
“Thanks Bud Selig for making baseball to make no sense whatsover compared to other sports. If you win 105 games in the regular season , then your team should be rewarded for having home field advantage in the World Series. What a Joke!!!! You did a good job in dividing up the leagues and having a wild card, but you can change this crap.
” -- bondsbay
“I'm glad that Maddon decided against Greinke, considering Greinke has about as good of a chance at mattering in the postseason as I do. Halladay is going to win Home Field for the American League, then get traded to the Phils . . .clutch
” -- nslynch713
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