When it closes, Moorad will replace Sandy Alderson as the CEO.

Moorad said the sale would have little affect on the Padres in 2009, although while the agreement was being finalized, general manager Kevin Towers said he was no longer under pressure to lower the payroll down to the $40 million target.

That means the Padres are under no pressure to trade away ace Jake Peavy's contract before Opening Day.

However, that does not mean the Padres are out of the woods. This is a team that lost 99 games last season. And ownership is not the only place where the Padres are making changes.

Faced with having shortstop Khalil Greene walk as a free agent after the 2009 season, the Padres traded him to St. Louis -- leaving the Padres without an established shortstop.

Midseason call-ups Chase Headley and Nick Hundley became regulars last year in left field and at catcher, respectively. Both figure to start this year, and the lineup could include four players with less than a full season's experience by midseason.

Even with Peavy, only three spots in the rotation are set -- and the loss of all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman to free agency has the Padres scuffling to re-shuffle the bullpen.

The acquisition of second baseman David Eckstein should help the top half of the order, which is anchored by All-Star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. But there are still very soft spots in the bottom half that struggled to produce runs last year.

Can the Padres improve on last season's 99 losses? Well, it's hard to get worse. And having Peavy and Chris Young at the top of the rotation give the team a good shot in 40 percent of the games -- providing they stay healthy, which was not the case in 2008.

The Padres posted winning records and twice reached the playoffs in their first four seasons at Petco Park before plunging to the bottom of the National League West in 2008.

This season figures to be better, but not by enough to make the Padres contenders.

WHERE, WHEN: Peoria Sports Complex, Peoria, Ariz. First exhibition game is Feb. 25 against the Mariners.

TOP CANDIDATE TO SURPRISE: C Nick Hundley stabilized a deteriorating catching situation at the end of last season and figures to improve with the help of veteran Henry Blanco this year. Hundley's arm is strong, but he needs to develop his handling of pitchers and improve on his .278 on-base percentage.

TOP CANDIDATE TO DISAPPOINT: RF Brian Giles has been one of the team's steadiest players for the past five seasons. Because of his .387 on-base percentage as a Padre, the club picked up his $9 million contract for 2009 rather than buy out the option for $3 million. However, the Padres likely will try to trade Giles during the season despite his 10-and-5 status. Giles is also facing a $9 million suit from former fiancee Cheri Olvera, who has alleged physical and mental abuse. The pressure on Giles this season could be heavy.

AUTHORITY FIGURES: Bud Black begins his third season as the Padres' manager with a 152-173 record. Ted Simmons replaces Craig Colbert as bench coach. Jim Lefebvre replaces Wally Joyner as the hitting coach.