PHOENIX — The San Diego Padres converse quietly, checking for anyone listening nearby.

They avoid naming specific players, refrain from criticizing their former manager, and hold back on fully sharing their feelings.

Instead, they drop hints, share knowing glances, allowing others to interpret their emotions.

They mention how discussing last year’s troubles still stings, yet it also serves as a reminder of their incredible progress.

Last year, the Padres were widely recognized as the most disappointing team in baseball.

This season, they have emerged as one of MLB’s most well-rounded teams, with a legitimate shot at securing their first World Series title.

“Last year was filled with a lot of selfishness and division among the players,” Padres pitcher Joe Musgrove shared with YSL News Sports. “It’s hard to blame just one person, but we didn’t meet the game’s demands. There were many moments where we had simple tasks to execute – which aren’t really simple at this level – but they were clear and should have been manageable for major-league hitters.

“We simply lacked the right mindset. Everyone seemed unhappy with the smaller tasks, so we didn’t even consider doing them.”

Despite having the third-largest payroll in baseball and a roster full of talent, the Padres fell short last year, finishing with an 82-80 record and missing the playoffs.

After incurring over $100 million in losses and following the passing of owner Peter Seidler in November, the ownership group made the difficult decision to reduce their player payroll by about $90 million.

As part of these changes, Padres GM A.J. Preller was compelled to trade talented outfielder Juan Soto, let Cy Young-winning pitcher Blake Snell go, and part with All-Star closer Josh Hader in free agency. They simply did not have enough funds to retain veterans such as Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, and Nick Martinez.

“I think none of us really knew what to expect,” said Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. “The expectations had lowered, but we still had talent on this team.”

Fast forward six months, and they have surprisingly become a nightmare for player agents:

They are thriving after slashing their payroll by almost 40%, which has caught the attention of team owners who are encouraging their own GMs to take notice of the Padres’ success.

“I’ve heard that quite a bit,” Padres GM A.J. Preller remarked. “I’m sure we’re not making too many people happy, but it’s simply something we had to undertake.”

The Padres are now entering the postseason as the top wild-card team in the NL with a 93-69 record, gearing up to face the Braves or Mets on Tuesday, confident that they possess the team capable of bringing home the franchise’s first World Series title in 56 years.

“We’re learning from our past experiences and sharing them with one another,” Musgrove expressed. “It’s just a genuinely enjoyable group to be around. A lot of our fun comes from the confidence we have.

“We don’t see any gaps in our game. We believe we have all the necessary elements to defeat any opponent.”

This is the success that the Padres had envisioned just a year earlier. They entered the season with high hopes and an abundance of talent, seen as favorites in many circles.

Instead, they became a source of embarrassment, failing to get above a .500 record from May 10 until the season’s final weekend, suffering a dismal 9-23 record in one-run games and going 2-12 in extra frames.

This was not merely a case of bad luck.

It was a breakdown in team chemistry.

The drama unfolded like a turbulent political debate, rife with finger-pointing and accusations. Whispers of discord among stars Manny Machado and Soto circulated, along with rifts within the clubhouse and unveiled tensions between Preller and then-manager Bob Melvin.

“Personally, I never considered Soto a problem,” said Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts. “We just didn’t play to our potential. I don’t want to lay blame on anyone. Some may point fingers, but the issue was definitely not about individuals.

“We simply didn’t play up to our capabilities, but this year, we are. A year can change everything. Just look at my time in Boston; we won the World Series in 2013 but finished the next year in last place. Such is baseball.”

Still, their mediocrity last year was hard to comprehend.

“Guys were feeling let down and frustrated, two sentiments we dealt with daily,” Bogaerts noted. “We couldn’t secure wins in extra innings or achieve comebacks when needed. Every time a win seemed within reach, we fell short.

“It was incredibly challenging. Truly tough.”

‘Our Offense is a Well-Oiled Machine’

This year’s team, featuring 19 new players compared to last, exemplifies the right way to play baseball. They consistently put the ball in play, boasting the least number of strikeouts across the league. They lead all of Major League Baseball in advancing extra bases on singles and doubles.

Rather than only swinging for home runs and being fixated on personal statistics, they frequently focus on moving runners along, resulting in the second-most bunts in the league.

This newfound team spirit is evident in their turnaround in comeback victories, with a 10-2 record in extra innings and 22-19 in one-run games this season. In contrast, just a year prior, they posted an MLB-worst 25-42 in games decided by two runs or fewer. Now, they are performing at an MLB-best 40-25 in those same situations.

“Players are willing to adapt and strategically hit the ball in different directions,” Musgrove mentioned. “We have many power hitters, but you’ll notice they’re also focused on hitting the ball the other way and advancing runners. It may not always look impressive, but that’s part of their role, and those efforts are celebrated. Last year, it felt like no one was satisfied with just getting the job done because it didn’t earn them much recognition.

“It’s not just about the hitting; the pitching side had its challenges, too. But the main difference I’ve noticed is that our offense is functioning like a well-oiled machine now.”

A year ago, this team would often fall behind and struggle to recover. Last season, they lost 33 of the 41 games where they had initially led, while this year, they’ve turned it around to 31 wins in similar situations. They’ve also secured 33 wins when tied or trailing in the eighth inning or later, compared to just 18 wins last year.

The Padres boast the highest batting average in all of baseball at .263, and they strike out less than any other team, achieving the fewest strikeouts overall.

<p“We’re approaching the game correctly,” Tatis shared. “Instead of aiming for home runs, we’re stringing hits together, allowing us to generate scoring chances. Our lineup is capable of stacking up multiple hits consecutively, creating chaos on the bases.”

Padres infielder Jake Cronenworth noted, “While we had more talent last year, we’re a better team this season. We don’t overcomplicate things; we just keep the momentum going, relying on each other.”

Opposing teams have praised the Padres’ new approach to baseball, emphasizing their ability to minimize self-inflicted errors and execute the fundamental tasks essential for victory.

<p“Each player is very connected and aware of their roles,” said Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo. “They’re executing bunts to advance runners. They’re winning many close games, which indicates they’re well-prepared.”

The key factor in their turnaround, according to the Padres players, is new manager Mike Shildt. He keeps a manual from iconic St. Louis Cardinals player development guru George Kissell close at hand, focusing on the fundamentals and detail-oriented practices ever since he was brought on board in November.

<p“Shildty manages the team with high standards,” Musgrove commented. “But it’s enjoyable. It’s not in a strict manner; he simply manages a very good team.”

Leaving a strong legacy in St. Louis after four years as their manager, Shildt credits his players and praises GM A.J. Preller for trading away 15 minor leaguers to bring in the players they needed. They landed ace Dylan Cease from the Chicago White Sox just before their season opener in Korea, traded for three-time batting champion Luis Arraez on May 4, and made significant acquisitions for three relievers – Tanner Scott, Jason Adam, and Bryan Hoeing – at the trade deadline.

<p“It’s incredible what our GM accomplished,” Tatis remarked. “He provided us everything we required, especially from the Juan Soto deal.”

The Padres brought Soto into the team at the 2022 trade deadline with high aspirations, but he couldn’t guide them to their goals. After deciding to send him to the Yankees during the off-season, they received a trade package of pitcher Michael King, prospects Drew Thorpe, Jhonny Brito, Randy Vasquez, and veteran catcher Kyle Higashioka.

King, now a full-time starter for the first time, has become a key member of the rotation, recording a 3-9 record with a 2.95 ERA and striking out 201 batters over a career-high 173⅔ innings. Higashioka achieved a career-high with 17 home runs and confidently predicted during a game that he would hit the winning homer, which he did with a two-run shot – “Who’s ready for extra innings this time of year?”

Then there’s Cease, who’s in discussions for the Cy Young award with a record of 14-11 and a 3.47 ERA, alongside 224 strikeouts over 189.1 innings.

Arraez made a dynamic debut with four hits, and his batting prowess continued, leading him to win his third consecutive batting title with .314 average across three different teams.

Veteran Jurickson Profar, who joined the team with a one-year, $1 million contract post-spring training, initially seen as backup, became the team MVP for the first half, finishing the season with a career-high .280 batting average, 24 homers, and 85 RBIs.

The standout surprise was rookie sensation Jackson Merrill, once a high school player from Baltimore, who hit .294 with 24 home runs, 90 RBIs, and an .826 OPS.

“Nothing against Paul Skenes,” Shildt stated, “but we wouldn’t be here without Jackson. He’s been invaluable to us. Watching him has been a true joy.”

Now, they’re gearing up for what could be an exciting journey into October, possibly facing off against the Yankees in a rematch of the 1998 World Series.

“While our payroll is lower than last year,” Preller explained, “we still have plenty of star power. The team is just really well-rounded. The pitching has been outstanding recently, and we have relievers capable of closing out games consistently at any time.”

Additionally, he’s pleased to work alongside a manager he respects.

“Mike and his staff have maintained a consistent message that fosters teamwork,” Preller noted. “That’s why this team has performed so well. We have a smart baseball IQ group, and that focus has been there from Day 1. Mike aimed to highlight that aspect.

“Playing solid, fundamental baseball may seem dull, but it certainly leads to victories.”

Regardless, this approach has captured the hearts of the Padres’ fans. Whether it appears exciting or not, the Padres celebrated a franchise-record attendance of 3.314 million fans, with 54 sellouts.

“I’ve always been based on the East Coast,” King shared. “I wasn’t expecting anything like this. I thought coming to a ‘small market’ would mean reasonable crowds, but it’s phenomenal. Even during a random Tuesday game against a low-ranked team, the stadium is full.”

“I’m eager to see what the atmosphere will be like in the playoffs.”

Given the way the Padres have been performing since July 20, with a 43-19 record and a 19-8 home performance in the second half, Petco Park could remain lively for another month.

“These players are focused on winning, executing their game plan, and enjoying themselves,” Shildt expressed. “This simple yet effective combination can be complicated, as the Padres learned last year.”

“Now, we truly feel like a cohesive team,” Musgrove concluded.

“Everyone is on board. We share a strong connection and possess vital energy and momentum at this point.

“That will take us a long way.”

In the last year of his life, Seidler often expressed, “Soon the baseball gods will favor the San Diego Padres, and we will celebrate with a parade.

“This celebration will take place both on land and at sea, and even in the skies.”