7 questions the Padres have to answer before Spring Training ends

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The Padres break camp in two weeks -- leaving them just over 14 days to halve their roster from 52 to 26.

Here are seven questions they’ll need to answer before leaving Arizona:

1. Who rounds out the rotation?

With two weeks left and no clear answer, the race for the No. 5 starter is the most interesting race in camp. Kyle Hart, Matt Waldron and Randy Vásquez entered as favorites. Stephen Kolek has joined the mix amid an excellent spring. Kolek’s stuff clearly plays as a starter -- his pitch mix is similar to Michael King’s, and he’s been eager to pick King’s brain.

With a crowded bullpen and several off-days early in the season, there probably isn’t a place for a sixth starter on the Opening Day roster. The following two weeks could decide the winner.

2. What happens at catcher?

The only certainty behind the plate: Elias Díaz is on the roster. Beyond that, there are questions.

For one, is Díaz the regular starter? If so, what’s his playing time split with the other catcher? And most notably, who is that other catcher? Luis Campusano is the favorite, though he’s struggled at the plate this spring. Then again, so have Martín Maldonado and Brett Sullivan, the other two contenders.

Manager Mike Shildt has said he’d prioritize defense. Still, as things stand, the Padres’ catching situation leaves much to be desired.

3. Where does Iglesias fit?

A year ago with the Mets, Jose Iglesias batted .337 with an .829 OPS in 85 games. He became an integral piece -- on and off the field -- of a team that reached the National League Championship Series. The upside of signing Iglesias is clear.

If the Padres get that version of Iglesias, he’ll be a regular contributor, perhaps even a regular starter. But he’s in camp on a Minor League deal, so he’s fighting to earn his place, and the Padres' infield is crowded right now. Jake Cronenworth has second base locked down. He could move back to first, but the Padres have said they expect Luis Arraez to play regularly there.

The reality is: It’s up to Iglesias. If he hits like he did last year, he’ll force the Padres’ hand and will probably play plenty of second base. The likelier outcome is that Iglesias is a valuable bench piece, occasionally starting against lefties.

4. Who else is in the bench mix?

Let’s say all eight position-player spots are set, with Jason Heyward and Connor Joe serving as a left-field platoon (though Joe still has options and can be sent down). That leaves four bench places, with one spot going to a catcher. The other three? Still wide open.

The Padres need a backup shortstop, which seemed like Tyler Wade’s job -- at least until Iglesias was brought on board. Eguy Rosario recently saw game action at short, as well. All three have a leg up on the competition because of their versatility.

But the Padres’ options are plentiful, and they need more than just versatility. They need thump. Lefty thump, if possible. (This makes Tirso Ornelas, the team’s No. 11 prospect, an intriguing option, considering his strong spring.)

5. Who’s the Opening Day starter?

If it’s Yu Darvish, he’ll tie a franchise record with a fourth Opening Day start for the Padres -- joining Randy Jones, Jake Peavy and Eric Show. But right now, King and Dylan Cease -- top-seven Cy Young finishers last season -- are likelier options. Cease’s track record perhaps makes him the favorite.

“It’s a hard decision to make,” Shildt said earlier this spring. “But it’s good to have that hard decision. Because you have multiple guys that could be your No. 1.”

6. Who’s in the ‘pen?

The Padres don’t seem too concerned with the long-term status of Bryan Hoeing (right shoulder soreness) and Sean Reynolds (right foot stress reaction). But neither is expected to be ready by the start of the season, and both could’ve factored into the Opening Day bullpen.

There are now two spots up for grabs. Alek Jacob is a favorite amid an impressive spring in which he’s punching out hitters at a 38% clip. Ron Marinaccio and Tom Cosgrove are also contenders. No. 14 prospect Bradgley Rodriguez remains a longshot, but he has impressed this spring and could line himself up for a midseason callup.

7. More moves to come?

Just when you think the Padres’ are done making moves -- that’s usually when A.J. Preller strikes. The Padres’ general manager has made a habit of pulling late-spring stunners. Recent acquisitions of Cease and Sean Manaea come to mind.

Is there something else up Preller’s sleeve this spring? You wouldn’t rule it out after an entire winter’s worth of rumors amounted to very little.