Team Statistic: The Padres posted a team batting average of .245 with 71 HR at home as opposed to .279 with 86 HR on the road in 2006.

Noteworthy: RHP Chris Young, in his first year with the Padres, had the best year of his career (11-5, 3.46 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 164K/69BB in 179.1 IP) as he helped his squad be the top team ERA (3.87) in the NL.

Key additions: 2B Marcus Giles (ATL), C Todd Greene (SF), INF Kevin Kouzmanoff (CLE), RHP Heath Bell (NYM), RHP Andrew Brown (CLE), LHP Justin Hampson (COL), LHP Royce Ring (NYM), RHP Greg Maddux (LAD), LHP David Wells (BOS).

Key losses: 2B Josh Barfield (CLE), OF Ben Johnson (NYM), 1B/OF Ryan Klesko (SF), C Mike Piazza (OAK), OF Dave Roberts (SF), INF Mark Bellhorn (CIN), LHP Alan Embree (OAK), RHP Jon Adkins (NYM), RHP Dewon Brazelton (KC), RHP Chan Ho Park (NYM).

Rookie Sensation: 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff (see more in Third Base).

IN THE FIELD

Projected lineup

1. Marcus Giles, 2B
2. Brian Giles, RF
3. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
4. Josh Bard, C
5. Mike Cameron, CF
6. Khalil Greene, SS
7. Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3B
8. Terrmel Sledge/Jose Cruz Jr., LF

CATCHER: The inability to catch Tim Wakefield's knuckleball earned Josh Bard a ticket out of Boston on May 1. Knuckleballs aside, Bard is a solid defensive catcher, but it was his offense that surprised many in 2006. The 28-year-old batted .338-9-40 in 231 at-bats with the Padres last season (.391-5-15 in his first 19 games with San Diego) and hit about as well at Petco Park (.315-5-21) as he did away (.353-4-19). Prior to last season, Bard's career-high in homers was eight, and he had posted a career major league batting average of .240 in 513 AB spread over four seasons.

FIRST BASE: Looking back on it at this point, it seems safe to say that the Padres got the better end of the January 2006 trade that brought them Adrian Gonzalez, RHP Chris Young and OF Terrmel Sledge from the Texas Rangers in exchange for RHP Akinori Otsuka, RHP Adam Eaton and C Billy Killian. Gonzalez had a breakout season in 2006 (.304-24-82 in 570 AB) and figures to pick up in 2007 right where he left off. Look for similar numbers from the young first baseman.

THIRD BASE: Kevin Kouzmanoff was the principle player acquired from Cleveland in the Josh Barfield trade. The 25-year-old struggled with Cleveland late last season (.214-3-11 in 56 AB), but had a fantastic season split between Double-A Akron and Triple-A Buffalo prior to that (.379-22-75 with 5 SB in 94 games). If Kouzmanoff gets off to a slow start against right-handed pitching, he could slip into a platoon situation with Russell Branyan, so keep an eye on that over the first several weeks of the season.

SHORTSTOP: Khalil Greene has been plagued by injuries over the past two seasons, primarily and most recently, a finger injury. Despite the injuries, he has managed to hit 15 HR per season over the first three years of his career in an average of 444 AB per season. Playing in PetcoPark hurts his chances of reaching the 25 HR plateau that he would likely reach elsewhere, but if he can somehow stay healthy and play in 150 games or more, there is no reason to think he could not mash 20 HR. Chances are various injuries will again hinder him and limit him to 130 games or less.

OUT IN THE GRASS

LEFT FIELD: The Padres plan to go with a platoon of Terrmel Sledge and Jose Cruz Jr. in left field this season. Sledge will face right-handed pitching (.265-16-59 in 412 lifetime AB vs. RHP) while Cruz Jr. will take the field against left-handers (.280-43-147 in 1150 lifetime AB vs. LHP). The duo should provide decent production for the Padres, but mixed leaguers will want to avoid this situation.

CENTER FIELD: Mike Cameron posted the highest OPS of his career (.837) last season as he hit .268-22-83 with 25 SB in 552 AB. The 34-year-old is known to be a bit injury prone, but if he can stay healthy enough to play in 140 games or more while posting a batting average near the .270 mark, he could be pretty useful in mixed leagues. It is more likely, however, that his batting average will drop to around .250, and PetcoPark could limit him to less than 20 HR.

RIGHT FIELD: Much like his younger brother Marcus, Brian Giles has seen his numbers on the decline over the past couple of years. Brian's main area of decline has come in homers as he has averaged just 18 HR per season over the last four seasons compared to an average of 37 HR per season from 1999-2002. Expect something along the lines of a .280 batting average and 15-18 HR in 2007.