Colorado Rockies foes: Winter Meetings thoughts from the Padres

SAN DIEGO — While we were here in their home city, we thought it fitting that Colorado Rockies fans hear what is being asked and said about the San Diego Padres.

The Colorado Rockies will be the first team to get a regular-season look at the refurbished and rebuilt San Diego Padres when the two teams meet in the season opener on March 26 at Petco Park.

This will be the first season at the helm for Padres manager Jayce Tingler so we thought you might be interested to hear what he has to say about his team and where he thinks it is heading in 2020.

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What do you think you still need? Where do you need improvement?

"Tingler: I think we’re always looking for balance, and I’m really happy with a lot of the acquisitions and moves that have been made. Primarily the week before, whether you’re talking (Drew) Pomeranz and (Zach) Davies and (Jurickson) Profar and (Tommy) Pham and (Trent) Grisham. So I still think we’re a work in progress.The truth is we’re going to need players that are — whether they’re coming in or whether they’ve been here in the past, there are going to be areas that we have to improve if we want to play playoff baseball, and I think the good thing is we’ve got the players that are capable of doing it."

What do you view as the strengths of this roster?

"Tingler: I don’t think enough people talk about some of the pitching depth and the starting pitching. We’re going to need some breaks. We’re going to need some good health. I’m excited about, whether it’s (Chris) Paddack, whether it’s (Dinelson) Lamet, (Garrett) Richards, Davies, (Joey) Lucchesi, (Cal) Quantrill.I’m excited about some of the depth, whether we’re talking (Adrian) Morejon or (Ronald) Bolanos or (Michel) Baez, and we haven’t even gotten to (MacKenzie) Gore and (Luis) Patino.I like what’s going on with the bullpen, obviously, Kirby Yates, what he’s been able to do the last couple of years, Pomeranz. You see what he did when he went to the bullpen with Milwaukee down the stretch. The power arm in (Andres) Munoz, (Matt) Strahm. I’m leaving guys off as well.So I’m kind of excited for some of the pitching depth, and you look up throughout the — with the pitching depth, and you look up, the infield defense, I think it’s our goal we should be the best infield defense in the game of baseball, whether it’s (Manny) Machado and (Fernando) Tatis. We’ve got to get Profar, he’s got to get back on track, especially with his throwing, and (Eric) Hosmer defensively at first. I think we’ve got good range. We’ve got good hands. We’ve got good decision-makers.So between the pitching and the defense, those are kind of two areas that I’m hoping we’re going to be pretty strong at."

One of Machado’s former teammates said, when he was motivated, he is the unquestioned best player in baseball. How do you see yourself as a motivator, and how is your relationship with him coming along at this point?

"Tingler: I’ve had good connections with Manny two times. Obviously, saw him out here on the jersey reveal, and I would agree with that take. When he’s locked in and he’s ready to play, he’s arguably the — you know, one of the best players in the game.How I see myself as a motivator, I don’t know if I do. I think Manny, my discussions with him is ready to go this year. He’s out there in Miami working right now, and whether it’s myself or other staff members — we’re going to be down there a little bit checking in. It’s a fine line. I want to certainly respect everybody’s off-season, but at the same time, for me personally, I just want to continue for the relationship to grow and just some small frequent check-ins.I’m excited about where Manny is going and what he’s going to do this year for sure."