Though they are not opening their pockets as deep as their National League West rivals to the north, the San Diego padres’ new ownership group has taken a new direction that is opposite of the penny pinching ways the franchise has demonstrated for years.
Instead of trading hometown star Carlos Quentin, the Padres signed him to a long-term deal. They also retained closer Huston Street, and so far they have resisted offers to trade third baseman Chase Headley.
With the three aforementioned names – plus promising young players like first baseman Yonder Alonso, center fielder Cameron Maybin, shortstop Everth Cabrera and catcher Yasmani Grandal (who will serve a 50-game suspension for illegal PED use) – the Padres are building a talented core for the future.
While Grandal is serving his suspension, Nick Hundley will handle catching duties. If the Padres don’t move Gyorko to second, Logan Forsythe is the projected starter. Will Venable returns as the right fielder.
Clayton Richard and Edinson Volquez top the rotation while veteran right-hander Jason Marquis was signed to bolster the depth. Kelly, Tyson Ross (a trade acquisition from Oakland), Eric Stults, Anthony Bass and non-roster invitees Freddy Garcia and Tim Stauffer will compete for rotation spots.
The opening day rotation could feature Richard, Volquez, Marquis, Garcia and Stauffer with Kelly beginning the season in Triple-A.
The Padres will likely not contend for a division title or a wild card berth this season, but with an array of talented young players, promising prospects in the farm system and a willingness by new owners to retain veterans, the club is on the path to an exciting brand of baseball.
About Peoria Sports Complex
Major League Baseball’s first two-team spring training facility, the Peoria Sports Complex serves as the spring training and player development home of the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners.
The complex is widely regarded as the best spring training facility in the country. Situated on 150 acres, each team has 6 1/2 Major League size practice fields, a 40,000 square foot clubhouse and indoor/outdoor batting tunnels and cages.
The 11,000-seat is nestled in the center of the complex.
In addition to Major League spring training, the complex is used for each team’s player development systems. In the off-season, the complex is the site for player rehabilitation, Extended Spring Training, Arizona Summer League, and Arizona Instructional League baseball.
The complex is also home to an Arizona Fall League team, the Peoria Javelinas. International teams from Japan, Korea and China have also used the facility for instructional and spring workouts.
About Peoria
A major suburb of Phoenix and named by Money magazine as one of the top 100 places to live, Peoria, Ariz. sits in the Sonoran Desrt amid the Salt River Valley.
Peoria has quietly built a reputation of bringing arts and culture to the West Valley. Experience a space flight mission or gaze at the stars at the Challenger Learning Center. Anchoring the City’s downtown redevelopment project is the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts which will bring critically acclaimed community theater to the area.
If you like dinner with your theatre, then visit the Arizona Broadway Theatre, located right next to the Peoria Sports Complex. Looking for art? Consider the West Valley Art Museum. With downtown Phoenix just a short drive away, access to the Herberger Theatre Center, Comerica Theatre, Phoenix Symphony, Orpheum Theatre, Heard Museum and more is convenient.
Located on the northern end of Peoria and about 45 minutes from downtown Phoenix, Lake Pleasant covers 10,000 acres. Utilized as a holding lake, its water comes from two sources, Central Arizona Project Canal and the Aqua Fria River. Managed by the Maricopa County Parks & Recreation Department, Lake Pleasant is Arizona’s second largest lake and offers a wide variety of recreational activities. General camping, RV accommodations, boating, sailing, water and jet skiing, and fishing are just some of the activities offered at the lake. The Desert Outdoor Learning Center offers excellent opportunities to learn more about the lake as well as the surrounding desert area.
Located on the northern end of Peoria and about 45 minutes from downtown Phoenix, Lake Pleasant covers 10,000 acres. Utilized as a holding lake, its water comes from two sources, Central Arizona Project Canal and the Aqua Fria River.
Managed by the Maricopa County Parks & Recreation Department, Lake Pleasant is Arizona’s second largest lake and offers a wide variety of recreational activities. General camping, RV accommodations, boating, sailing, water and jet skiing, and fishing are just some of the activities offered at the lake. The Desert Outdoor Learning Center offers excellent opportunities to learn more about the lake as well as the surrounding desert area.
The Challenger Space Center of Arizona is a working memorial to the astronauts that lost their lives in the ill fated space shuttle Challenger STS – 51L flight on January 28, 1986. Its mission is to “inspire, excite, and educate people of all ages about the mysteries and wonders of space, science and the universe in which we live…”
The Challenger Space Center of Arizona has a unique affiliation with the Smithsonian Institute which offers access to national quality museum exhibits in Peoria.
For more information about Peoria, visit here.
San Diego Padres Spring Training Information
First Practice Dates
February 12 – Pitchers and catchers
February 15 – Position players
Peoria Sports Complex
16101 N. 83rd Ave
Peoria, AZ 85382
(623) 773-8700
2013 Ticket Prices
Infield Box, $26
Club, $24
Upper Box, $22
Outfield Box, $20
Bleacher, $15
Lawn Seating, $7
For tickets and to see a Padres spring training schedule, visit here.
