While I do believe the Padres have done a fantastic job this winter of trying to build a team that is better suited and more balanced to fit Jed Hoyer's philosophy of "playing Petco park into an advantage," I do not believe they will see the same success over the course of the entire season. I do believe the Padres will be in the top three in baseball in the bullpen and I believe the pitching staff will mature and flourish with time and seasoning. However I do not believe the Padres can expect the same luck when it comes to health -- that is one of my biggest concerns, other than the younger pitchers maturing being able to handle their work loads moving forward and the bench. The Padres have acquired many players to be rebound-type players; players with successful track records. Not all of them will produce. Having said that, I do expect many of the players that Jed Hoyer carefully calculated to have rebound seasons to do exactly that. Again, health will play a huge factor this year -- the Padres did not have many serious injuries last year; and that worries me with a team that will need to manufacture runs.

My 2011 projections: 

Padres:  W-86-L-76

Starters: 

Will Venable: (.261/.342./455) 29 2B/ 6 3B/ 20 HR's/ 68 RBI/ 36 SB

Orlando Hudson: (.269 /.337/.393) 28 2B/5 3B/7 HR's/ 50 RBI

Chase Headley: (.278/ .357/.430 ) 38 2B/3 3B/16 HR's/ 70 RBI

Ryan Ludwick : (.266/ .337/.466) 34 2B/ 2 3B/ 23 HR's/ 87 RBI

Brad Hawpe: (.273/ .358/.458) 24 2B/ 2 3B/ 17 HR's/ 67 RBI

Cameron Maybin: (.260/.331/.409) 26 2B/ 4 3B/ 14 HR's 59 RBI 22 SB

Nick Hundley: (.259/.337/.451) 24 2B/ 3 3B / 17 HR's.

Jason Bartlett: (.276 /338/.393) 26 2B/ 4 3B/ 7 HR's/ 50RBI/ 18SB

Bench: 

Jorge Cantu: (.266/.322/.424) 27 2B/1 3B/14 HR's 63 RBI

Chris Denorfia: (268/.332 /413)  17 2B/ 3 B/ 8 HR's. 13 SB

Eric Patterson: (.263/.330/.408) 10 2B/ 3 B/ 4 HR's. 14 SB

Rob Johnson: (258/.332/.361) 16 2B/ 5 HR's

To be determined

Starting rotation:

Mat Latos: 16-10 3.13 ERA

Tim Stauffer: 14-9 3.31 ERA

Clayton Richard: 13-8 3.71 ERA

Aaron Harang: 11-10 4.01 ERA  

Wade LeBlanc: 9-8 4.34 ERA 

Cory Luebke: 7-4 3.89 ERA

Its hard to predict, or even look at the possible starters such as Cory Luebke or Simon Castro, both of whom could have an impact this year; Luebke more so than Castro. I believe Luebke will be very solid when he comes up and is starting everyday.

Bullpen: 

Pat Neskek:  4-2 3.26 ERA 

Dustin Moseley: 6-5 4.29 ERA

Joe Thatcher:  2-2 3.21 ERA

Chad Qualls: 2-2 3.51 ERA

Ernesto Freiri:  3-2 3.39 ERA

Luke Gregerson: 4-2 3.31 ERA

Mike Adams: 5-3 2.26 ERA

Heath Bell:  5-2  2.44 ERA