Padres Are Labeled One Of Four Teams Now Trending Downward

Most evaluators have given the Padres a bit of a mulligan so far given the talent that remains. While shortstop Xander Bogaerts is clearly in decline, third baseman Manny Machado is still playing at a Hall of Fame level, and right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. is still a potential MVP candidate, especially if he’s fixed his swing mechanics as he recently claimed at the team’s FanFest event. Add in a healthy Jackson Merrill in center field, and there’s some serious weaponry in the middle of the Padres lineup.