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Padres may have to take another step backward before moving forward

As the 2016 MLB season approaches, SN's Jesse Spector will examine each team's outlook. Today: the Padres.

2015: 74-88, fourth place in National League West

Key arrivals: OF Jon Jay, SS Alexei Ramirez, RHP Fernando Rodney

Key departures: 1B Yonder Alonso, 2B Jedd Gyorko, RHP Ian Kennedy, OF Justin Upton

PREDICTING 2016: Breakout rookies-to-be | Records that may be broken

Best-case scenario: Tyson Ross has better luck with balls in play against him, while James Shields and Andrew Cashner have strong bounce-back seasons, giving the Padres a legitimate top three in their rotation, with live, young arms chipping in on the back end to stabilize things from a starting standpoint.