The San Diego Padres failed to meet expectations last season.
After reaching the NLCS in 2022, many people thought the Padres could contend for last year’s World Series.
Instead, they did not make the playoffs.
It was a disappointing year and led to the Padres trading away star outfielder Juan Soto.
Soto will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of next season.
The Padres must have thought they would not be able to re-sign him which is why they traded him.
Without Soto, the Padres need some of their other players to step up.
One of those players is Fernando Tatis Jr.
He has made the transition from shortstop to right field and he is continuing to perfect it.
According to Jon Morosi, Tatis will play right field in the Dominican Winter League.
Fernando Tatis Jr. will play right field on Tuesday for @EOBASEBALLCLUB in the Dominican Winter League, source confirms.
Credit to @hgomez27 for being first to report that Tatis would begin playing in @LIDOMRD. @LasMayores @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 12, 2023
Many Dominican players head home for the winter to play in this league.
Tatis will have a chance to continue to perfect his game in the outfield.
The Padres do not seem like true contenders in 2024.
While they may be good enough to make the playoffs, they have not improved their team enough.
They play in the same division as the reigning NL champion Arizona Diamondbacks.
Also, the Los Angeles Dodgers look like the team to beat with the signing of Shohei Ohtani.
While the Padres may be good enough to compete for a playoff spot, this is not a team with World Series aspirations.
Even so, Tatis should be in line for a massive season as he enters the prime of his career.
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