Padres' Jake Cronenworth Doesn't Want to Hear About the Dodgers Anymore
San Diego Padres infielder Jake Cronenworth has grown weary of the public focus and attention on the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers have been one of the main storylines and talking points this offseason, especially with all the players they acquired — but it's grown old for Cronenworth.
“Why does it have to be about beating them? Why can’t it be about beating everyone else? Or focusing on us ... I don’t get why everybody makes it about us finishing ahead of them. There are 29 other teams in baseball.”
— Jake Cronenworth, via Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Cronenworth also pointed out that just because the Dodgers are the favorites to win the division doesn't mean the Padres can't win it or advance further in the playoffs.
“Yeah, so why is it about finishing ahead of them? They won the division in ‘22, and we beat them in the playoffs.”
— Jake Cronenworth, via Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
While it's understandable Cronenworth might be tired of constantly hearing about the Dodgers, it does make sense that they are regularly the center of attention.
Aside from the Dodgers' huge offseason, they have controlled the division for most of the last decade. The Dodgers have won 10 of the last 11 National League West titles. While that does not limit the Padres in the playoffs, winning the division is a direct path to the playoffs.
On top of the Dodgers controlling the division, the Padres are also about to play the Dodgers. The Padres are kicking off the regular season with a pair of games against the Dodgers. With these being the first MLB games of the year, it's natural that the Dodgers are the primary team talked about, since they are both the current opponent and a division rival.
Ultimately, the talk about the Dodgers isn't going away anytime soon. However, Cronenworth and the Padres can at least temporarily shut down some of the narratives if they can get a win or two this week over Los Angeles in the Seoul Series.
