Insider to view the whole thing. Neyer thinks we got hosed in the Loretta deal and maybe it's a slow sinking feeling overall:
In San Diego, the big story this week is the re-signing of both closer Trevor Hoffman and right fielder Brian Giles, and if I were a Padres fan I'd be thrilled to have them back. But the additions to the squad, so far at least, consist of Mirabelli, Dewon Brazelton and Vinny Castilla. It's almost as if they're trying to finish third or fourth.
Grain of salt. Neyer also thought that the Dodgers would run away with the division last season and that picking the Padres as the favorite was just being "trendy".