Padres All-in to Replace Gonzalez

How do the San Diego Padres replace three-time All-Star Adrian Gonzalez?

"You don't," quipped outfielder Ryan Ludwick.

While Brad Hawpe takes over at first base, the Padres will look to a number of players to help replace the offense lost when Gonzalez, the slugger who had been the face of the franchise, was traded to the Boston Red Sox in December.

The company line this spring is that the Padres, who were offensively challenged last year even with Gonzalez, are more complete throughout the lineup. An offseason shuffle brought in Hawpe, second baseman Orlando Hudson, shortstop Jason Bartlett and center fielder Cameron Maybin to go along with holdovers Ludwick, third baseman Chase Headley, outfielder Will Venable and catcher Nick Hundley.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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