A major reason why the San Diego Padres are so successful during the 2010 season is that their bullpen is outstanding. There is very little to suggest that it San Diego can not to do it again next even with a couple of defections.
Heath Bell
Bell does have classic closing hard stuff. His fastball reaches as high as 98 mph and a nasty hard slider as well. That stuff plays very well in every ballpark not just Petco Park. His 2010 season is very dominating (6-1 47 saves 1.93 ERA 1.2 WHIP over 70 innings). Bell does have excellent control as well (3.07k/bb ratio), and is almost impossible to hit a home run against (only 1 given up in 2010). He also generates a lot of swing and misses when he comes, and his strikeout rate certainly reflects that (11.06k/9). All of this adds up to being an elite closer for San Diego. However, that also makes Bell too expensive for the Padres to make any sort of long term commitment to. That is why his name is constantly in the trade rumors. It is not a question if the Padres will trade Bell, but rather a matter of when it will happen. Bell will start the season as the Padres closer, but how long he does remain in San Diego is anyone's guess.
Luke Gregerson
Gregerson is one of the few consistent relief pitchers from year to year. Of course, his major league career only spans two seasons but they are very good seasons. His 2010 season establishes him as a future closer in waiting (4-7 2 saves 3.22 ERA .83 WHIP over 78.1 innings). At first glance at his scouting report, Gregerson seems like a typical sinker/slider setup man. However, his sinker bores in on hitters bats causing them to shatter, and his slider is a true wipeout pitch. Gregerson does have better control than Bell (4.94 K/BB ratio in 2010) and is almost as dominant at getting hitters to strikeout (10.23k/9). Opponents do find a bit easier to take out of the ballpark than Bell (8 homers given up in 2010), but that is a small quibble in the grand scheme here. Gregerson is the top candidate to replace Bell as a closer when the Bell trade happens.
Mike Adams
The one time future closer of the Milwaukee Brewers is now one of the best setup men in major league baseball these days. Adams, along with Bell and Gregerson, forms one of the best trios at the end of the game which shortens the game up for San Diego opponents. Adams does have a power sinker that induces a lot of ground ball outs, but also a 4 seam fastball that can use to get the strikeout when he needs it. Adams 2010 season just reaffirms his standing (4-1 1.76 ERA .933 WHIP over 66.2 innings). He does have a very good strikeout rate (9.84k/9) along with excellent control (3.17k/bb ratio), and is near impossible to take him yard as well (only 2 homers given up in 2010). Adam is coming back to the Padres and is a top setup man for them in 2011.
Joe Thatcher
Thatcher is the resident LOOGY (Lefty One Out GuY) in the Padres bullpen, and that is a role that he is very good at. His 2010 number indicate that he borders on dominating in that role (1-0 1.29 ERA .857 WHIP in 65 games). Thatcher's sinker is almost unhittable to left handers. His strikeout rate is excellent (11.57) as is his control (6.43k/bb). Thatcher will have the same role in 2011 for San Diego.
Tim Stauffer
Tim Stauffer can give a course on pitcher abuse on the college level (College coaches can burn out a pitcher looking at the short term interest of keeping the head coaching job and not thinking of the pitcher's future). His stuff never recovers from the abuse he takes his final two years in college. Now his fastball rests in the low 90s, and Stauffer makes do changing speeds while mixing in his curveball and an above average changeup. He is a candidate for the rotation, if the Padres can not bring back Jon Garland this offseason. Still, his best role looks like as along man out of the pen getting some spot starts here and there.
Trevor Hoffman
Hoffman is the all time leader in saves for major league baseball. The 2011 season looks like it is going to be his last one, and he is no longer the consistent closer anymore. However, there is considerable talk that Hoffman is going to sign with San Diego so the circle is complete. It does make a nice story, but the real question is if the Padres can afford the sentimental journey.
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