One of the guiding principles behind the building of PETCO Park -- the ballpark that would become the catalyst for redevelopment in downtown San Diego -- was that the facility would turn the Padres into a championship-caliber club, not just once in a while like in years past, but over the long haul.

Two years into its existence, PETCO Park housed a champion. The Padres won the NL West in 2005, draping an NL Western Division Champs banner atop the signature Western Metal Supply Co. building in left field.

So, part one of the plan was met -- the Padres indeed were a championship-caliber club. They built it, and the title did come.

But, clearly, part two of the scenario -- becoming that caliber a team for the long haul -- was still under construction. With an 82-80 record that amounted to the greater of the NL West's stumbles, the 2005 Padres didn't look much like a team that was going to come back in 2006 and march its way back to the top.

Changes were on the way, and you might have picked up on that very early on in the 2005 season, when Sandy Alderson was named the club's CEO, bringing his resume as GM of the A's and executive with Major League Baseball with him. A change like that is only destined to bring more change, or why would chairman John Moores have gone to the trouble of bringing one of baseball's top executives into the mix?

As the Padres head into 2006, the changes appear to have been for the better -- at least for this season. The team is better equipped than last year to win the NL West title, bringing much more experience to the table, a different brand of athleticism that fits PETCO Park better and a message from the baseball-operations leadership of Alderson, GM Kevin Towers and VP for ccouting & player development Grady Fuson that there are real expectations to compete for the NL West beyond 2006.

As much as last year's team was a nice mix of personalities and talent, change was expected; and changes were the hallmark of the winter for this club.

Among the departed: starters Brain Lawrence and Adam Eaton, second baseman and two-time club MVP Mark Loretta, catchers Ramon Hernandez and his replacement Miguel Olivo, reliever Akinori Otsuka, infielder/outfielder Xavier Nady and reliable bench men Mark Sweeney, Robert Fick and Damian Jackson.

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That's a lot of former players from a championship club, folks.

The replacements included veteran name stars, a couple of interesting younger names and, in total, a whole new team face to surround the holdover core players -- namely, right fielder Brian Giles and closer Trevor Hoffman of the veteran variety, and starter Jake Peavy and shortstop Khalil Greene from the young rising star category.

Other core players remain, from leadoff man Dave Roberts, erstwhile power man Ryan Klesko and gutty right-handed starter Woody Williams. Also, key homegrown prospect Josh Barfield might be getting his chance at second base.

It's not all about change in San Diego, but it's a lot about change.

Frankly, these adjustments were not exactly all made for the long haul, either. Some moves are designed for winning again in 2006, first and foremost.

Vinny Castilla, the first piece added during a winter of change, won't be around forever -- but he'll play a strong third base and he'll likely be able to put his right-handed power to good use at homer-stingy PETCO.

Mike Piazza isn't a long-haul acquisition, either, but he'll add some needed right-handed power, while providing what he can behind the plate.

Of the major acquisitions this winter, the one who brings the most intrigue is center fielder Mike Cameron. He should patrol the vast meadow that is center at PETCO as well as anyone could, and he should bring a little more power -- again, from the right side.

It'll also be interesting to see how Chris Young, the 6-foot-10 right-hander acquired from the Texas Rangers, along with first baseman-in-waiting Adrian Gonzalez, adapt to a bigger role as a true No. 2 starter in the staff. Also, how the back end of rotation will fill out, and how a new cast of middle relievers will get the ball to reliable setup man Scott Linebrink in the eighth and Hoffman in the ninth will be answered in 2006.

This team is a whole lot different than it was a year ago, no question. But it appears to be better, which is a good thing considering the NL West doesn't figure to be the pushover it was a year ago.

Bringing home a second consecutive title to PETCO Park isn't a lock by any means, but a winter of change at least puts the Padres on course for the next step in that long haul of championship-caliber clubs expected to make their home in downtown San Diego.