General “Buck”: Well, uh, Sir? Ah, i-if the pilot’s good, see – I mean – i mean if he’s really….sharp, he can barrel that baby in so low, I – hehe! You oughtta see it sometime, it’s a sight ya – a BIG plane like a 52 – VROOM! Ha! Just jet exhaust, fryin’ chickens in a barnyard! Hahaha!" President: “Yeah, but HAS HE GOT A CHANCE?” General “Buck”: “Has he GOT A CHANCE? Haha! Hell, yeah……yea…….ye……..”

but wouldn’t be surprised if they come in a close 3rd, maybe 7-10 games back. Somewhere around 85 wins would be good.

With so much off season movement, I don’t think anyone can accurately predict the outcome. I feel like the Pads have improved in some much needed areas, settled some dust with regard to which players are favorites for certain jobs, and have a decent pitching staff.

Losing Bell, Adams, Latos will only look terrible if the likes of Alonso and Quentin don’t provide the much needed run support. Even average pitchers are significantly improved at Petco.

I’m not a big believer that the Padres will compete in 2012, but those comments are (predictably) pretty harsh. I mean, we did pick up four solid pieces in the Latos deal, replaced Bell with Street, acquired Quentin, and the Adams trade was last year (and a really good one, anyway). Haven’t been a fan of all the moves, but it’s hard to say the Padres haven’t at least attempted to improve in 2012.

That said, I probably shouldn’t take Padres ‘analysis’ on yahoo answers too seriously.

I just finished reading one of Bleacher’s “featured” columnists ranking of the 30 MLB rotations. The guy ranked the Padres rotation 23rd, after we traded the only starter he ever heard of. His key “judgement”:

“They’re not bad, not by any means, but they all have either unexciting stuff or miserable command.”

Betcha he never saw any of them pitch. He also didn’t look at any scouting reports or check stats for last year’s third best rotation in the NL.