For years, Padres General Manager A.J. Preller burned through watercolors, painting with big and broad strokes.
First it was the failed go-big-or-go-home entrance with Matt Kemp, James Shields, Justin Upton and others. Then came a record deal for Wil Myers, a record deal for Eric Hosmer and baseball’s collective gasp at the signing of Manny Machado.
The club is now deploying a finer brush. Stacking bullpen depth with Emilio Pagan and Drew Pomeranz, creating competition at second base with Jurickson Profar, tinkering with outfield construction by scooping up Trent Grisham.
As a health pandemic transforms the season into a 60-game dash, the question intrigues even more: Are the Padres closer to contention?