Not much is being expected of the Padres this year.

The first standings projections for the 2016 season were released a few weeks ago by Fangraphs and updated after the free-agent signings of Alexei Ramirez and Fernando Rodney. The website projects the Padres to go 74-88, the same record as last year, and finish tied for last place in the NL West with the Colorado Rockies even with those additions.

Here is how Fangraphs sees the Padres ranking among MLB teams in various categories:

Runs per game: 3.74, 29th out of 30 MLB teams

Runs allowed per game: 4.10, 9th

Run differential: minus-58, 26th

On an individual level, it is not much better.

The top Padres player in MLB.com’s fantasy rankings released Monday is Matt Kemp, who is ranked No. 69. By comparison, the Dodgers and Giants both have four players ranked before Kemp’s number comes up, the Diamondbacks have three, and the Rockies have two.

Fangraphs makes similar judgments, ranking the Padres in the bottom half of baseball at every position group except the starting rotation, including dead last at shortstop and center field.

These are just projections and, of course, surprises happen. A return to normal levels of effectiveness from starting pitchers Andrew Cashner, James Shields and Tyson Ross, massive defensive upgrades with Ramirez at shortstop and Jon Jay in the outfield, a full season from Wil Myers, upgrading at offensively at second base from Jedd Gyorko (.697 OPS) to Cory Spangenberg (.733 OPS), and the subtraction of offensive sinkholes Will Middlebrooks, Alexi Amarista and Clint Barmes and underdeveloped prospects Austin Hedges and Travis Jankowski from the lineup (combined 1,099 PA’s, .248 OBP) makes it not terribly hard to see the Padres improving by 7-8 games, which would put them at a .500 record or better.

That said, left field and the bullpen were weakened by trades and free agency, and there is no guarantee the Padres revamped bench (featuring newcomers Jose Pirela, Jabari Blash, and Christian Bethancourt as key components) will actually outperform its predecessor. Myers and Spangenberg both have concerning injury records, there is little to no pitching depth waiting in the high minors.

The early projections lean more on the pessimistic side. After five consecutive losing seasons, it’s to be expected.