Could the Padres actually contend in 2013?

What uniform will Headley be wearing in 2013?

Now that the Padres have a new ownership and television contract in place, they will the opportunity to expand payroll within the next couple of off-seasons. San Diego has $30 million committed to the 2013 payroll, and that is very low in comparison to the other teams in the game.

It will be very interesting to see what the Padres due with third baseman Chase Headley, who had a breakout 2012 season and generated quite a bit of trade interest in July. It would be difficult to imagine that the team trades him, considering that the fans have already had two trades, both the Latos and Gonzalez trades, that have been tough to swallow. He will be arbitration eligible when the World Series ends, and is definitely an extension candidate. It will probably take a deal in the $50-60 million range to keep Headley, and hopefully for Padres fans, he has a desire to stay in San Diego.

The Padres will not spend a lot of money this winter, considering that they have already signed a few of their players to extensions. Carlos Quentin will be the team's left fielder for the foreseeable future, and Chris Denorfia received a nice mulit-year extension that will keep him as the fourth outfielder, and platoon partner for Will Venable, in San Diego. Cameron Maybin signed an extension with the team before the 2012 season began, and despite his struggles, will continue to play everyday as the center fielder in 2013.

I like what Yonder Alonso and Everth Cabrera bring to the table. Alonso is a work-in progress regarding his home runs, but is a natural hitter and will even put up good numbers despite hitting in PETCO Park 81 times a year. Cabrera quietly lead the National League in stolen bases in 2012 and should get regular playing time next season. 

I'm very excited to see what the Padres have in Yasmani Grandal, who was a key component of the Mat Latos trade of last winter. Grandal should have the everyday job next season, and is definitely a candidate to have a breakout season. Nick Hundley had a rough 2012 season, but should still be on the roster as the backup catcher assuming John Baker gets non-tendered. 

San Diego definitely needs to beef up its rotation this winter, as pitching will be what will keep them in those important games down the stretch. Clayton Richard and Edinson Volquez are locks to stay in the 2013 rotation, but the other three spots are still up in the air. Andrew Cashner and Casey Kelly are two young players to keep an eye on, and Cory Luebke and Joe Wieland will be recovering from Tommy John surgery. However, GM Josh Byrnes has stated like he would like to add a few starters from outside of the organization, either by trade or free agency, in order to add some depth.

I would imagine that several pitchers would be interested in joining San Diego because of PETCO Park's pitcher-friendly confines. Names like Jeremy Guthrie, Shaun Marcum and Carlos Villanueva come to mind, but the Padres could look to add a reclamation project-type player such as a Carl Pavano or Daisuke Matsuzaka. 

The Padres had a strong finish to the 2012 season, and it is only a matter of time when they start to emerge as a threat in the NL West. Josh Byrnes is going to need to acquire some pitching depth if he wants his team to stay relevant in 2013. San Diego is finally set on multiple positions, and , assuming they don't trade Chase Headley, it could be a force to be reckoned with if they all stay healthy and produce the way they should.