The Padres’ 2024 season had all the makings of a redemption arc—until it didn’t. A promising start, a strong push, and then? A postseason snub. And as if that wasn’t enough, they watched their division rivals, the Dodgers, snatch away both their playoff dreams and key players. Now, adding their ownership issues and restricted paytoll this year, what can be expected from the team this year? Their manager, Mike Shildt, has something hopeful for the fans.
The San Diego Padres had a 93-69 record in the 2024 season, finishing second in the NL West. They won the NL Wild Card Series against the Atlanta Braves but lost the NL Division Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, they secured a wild card spot in the postseason with a 4–2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in September. The last year proved that the Padres are the biggest threat for the Dodgers in the National League. This year, the Dodgers went ahead and took the Padres’ key weapons, like Tanner Scott! Well, if they can’t fight them, get them, right?
“We compete through our preparation. We’re very dedicated to being fundamentally sound.”
Mike Shildt’s message to his #Padres this spring is loud & clear:@Padres | #SpringTrainingTour
https://t.co/3lNMHjejQd pic.twitter.com/4XzSQF1thC
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) March 9, 2025
“We’ve got unfinished business; we want to build on last year but not take it for granted,” said the Padres manager, Mike Shildt, in his interview with the MLB Network. The first four words of Shildt are enough to understand the goal of the Padres this year. While the Padres failed to retain Blake Snell and Tanner Scott and lost out on getting Roki Sasaki, the Dodgers were the destination for all these players. Hence, Shildt got his unfinished business to avenge their postseason loss to the Dodgers and to make a statement even after losing the key assets.
Padres are waiting to be the Phoenix from the ashes
While Shildt is waiting to clear his unfinished business this year, are the Padres equipped enough to lead the charge? Owing to their payroll restriction, the Padres are nowhere near the $389 million payroll of the Dodgers this year. Then how to compete? In 2025, the San Diego Padres are more prepared than ever to quiet the skeptics. Dylan Cease can be a key weapon for the San Diego Padres this year. His career-high 3.47 ERA over 189.1 innings pitched that year was his best since 2022. Who’s more?
This offseason, the Padres added veterans Jason Heyward, Gavin Sheets, Connor Joe, and Jose Iglesias, as well as right-hander Nick Pivetta and Kyle Hart. A.J. Preller, president of baseball operations, stated that the team would be starting the 2025 season with a “championship roster.” With this roster, the Padres can challenge the Dodgers, no matter what the result will be. Well, the Padres have consistently managed to stay competitive in recent years, despite not making many big-ticket acquisitions over the offseason. So, what is the reason for the 2025 season to be different?
The 2025 regular season is going to be worth it to see how the Padres are going to clear their unfinished business. Also, if they can start from where they ended last year.
Do you think the Padres can make any difference this year? Share your arguments with us below.
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