The Padres’ Surprising Struggles
There’s something unusual about the Padres.
How are they even managing to win games?
Statistically, it’s not great. Their batting average ranks as the worst in the majors, and their OPS is only slightly better. In fact, when it comes to scoring runs, they’re near the bottom of the National League. As for their pitching, well, it hovers between below average and downright poor—their innings pitched are among the fewest, and their ERA is one of the worst.
As the Dodgers come into town for a series opener at Petco Park, they currently sit ahead of the Padres in the NL West standings. However, the Padres’ threat doesn’t feel as significant this time around. What they’re doing can’t possibly last.
Unless something changes, the remaining hope for the team might be its final rites being read by the last priest left come October.
But something has shifted already.
The Padres are on the verge of welcoming new controlling owners—billionaire Jose E. Feliciano and his partner Kwanza Jones—who plan to buy a stake in the team, valuing it at a staggering $3.9 billion.
This sale is expected to be finalized at an upcoming owners’ meeting next month.
Although Feliciano and Jones may not effectively bolster the Padres’ imbalanced roster in time to pose a real threat to the Dodgers this season, their financial power might revive what has been a significant rivalry in the sport.
Following the passing of their previous owner, Peter Seidler, in late 2023, the Padres began transforming into a less formidable team. Under Seidler’s leadership, they were ambitious, spending heavily. They signed Manny Machado for $300 million before the 2019 season and acquired Juan Soto in a major trade during the 2022 season, even defeating the Dodgers in the playoffs that year. Additionally, they splurged over $400 million that winter.
After Seidler’s death, spending cuts turned the tide. They started to drain their farm system, trading away promising prospects. The championship window started to close, and the team seemed to be descending back into obscurity.
If the team had sold to an owner similar to Frank McCourt, it might have dealt a fatal blow to this version of the Padres. When asked about that potential outcome, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts just laughed.
“I think the Padres’ presence is good for baseball,” he commented.
Roberts knows firsthand how a change in ownership can transform a franchise; he was with the Padres during the Dodgers’ acquisition by Guggenheim in 2012. That oversight switched the Dodgers from a bankrupt team under McCourt to baseball’s top spender overnight.
“This reflects a story of two paths,” Roberts noted. “Ownership, that’s where it all starts. When the leadership is willing to invest in the team and its fans, it naturally leads to success.”
Right now, it’s uncertain what vision Feliciano and Jones might have for spending. Just because someone has the money doesn’t mean it will automatically translate into wins. The Mets, for instance, reflect a similar situation; despite high investment, they’ve struggled to find success.
Still, if Feliciano and Jones aim to improve the roster and general manager AJ Preller makes the correct moves ahead of the August 3 trade deadline, the Padres could challenge the Dodgers as they did last season.
Offensively, it’s hard to imagine them getting any worse. This past Sunday, Machado managed a mere .182 average. Fernando Tatis Jr., previously suspended for a positive drug test, has yet to hit any home runs this season.
On the bright side, they do have a solid bullpen anchored by Mason Miller, who currently boasts the best closer stats in baseball with a 0.86 ERA. There are also two reliable starters, Michael King and Randy Vazquez, who are slated to pitch this week against the Dodgers. King is set to face Yoshinobu Yamamoto Monday night, while Vazquez is expected to take on Shohei Ohtani on Wednesday.
Depending on how the pitching rotation plays out, the Padres may pull off a win in the upcoming series. However, over a grueling 162-game regular season, they lack the depth to truly compete with the Dodgers. Preller has begun addressing the rotation, signing veteran Lucas Giolito for a one-year deal worth $2.8 million—but they need to do more to match up against the Dodgers.
A few months ago, this kind of opportunity seemed unlikely for the Padres. But now, at least they have a chance. The real question is whether the new ownership will seize it.
