One Offseason Mistake the Padres Cannot Afford to Repeat

The bullpen was as dominant as advertised (if not better) with a collective ERA of 3.31 — the fifth-lowest in MLB — across 647.2 combined innings. On the other side of the pitching roster, the starting rotation accounted for 4.7 innings pitched per games started, the fourth-fewest in the league.

A bullpen that showed rare signs of breaking after being bent to the brink started to crack come the postseason, and a main reason why points back to dealing with being overworked through 162 regular season games.

This was unfortunately the result of trying to scratch together a rotation on a budget last offseason, something the Padres can ill-afford to do once again this offseason.

Players brought in like German Marquez, Griffin Canning, Walker Buehler and Lucas Giolit, didn't prove to be enough for a contending team the first half of the season, let alone enough to protect the relievers in October.

Marquez was signed for $1.75 million and brought valuable experience from his time with the Colorado Rockies dating back to 2016. The All-Star right-hander pitched through the sixth inning just one time in his 13 appearances, totaling a 5.26 ERA before his release in August.