Hold onto your hats, baseball fans, because the San Diego Padres are making some serious moves this offseason, and it’s got everyone talking. But here’s where it gets controversial: while Paul Goldschmidt is headed back to the Bronx after signing a one-year deal with the Yankees, the Padres were reportedly in the running for his services, along with the Diamondbacks. And this is the part most people miss—San Diego wasn’t just window shopping; they were serious contenders until the very end. So, what does this mean for the Padres’ lineup? Let’s dive in.
The Padres are clearly on a mission to bolster their offense, even after securing Miguel Andujar with a $4MM contract earlier this week. Andujar is expected to be the primary designated hitter, providing relief for first baseman Gavin Sheets against left-handed pitching while sharing DH duties with Sung-mun Song, a versatile KBO signee. But here’s the kicker: the Padres’ bench, a weak spot last season, still looks shaky. With only a handful of position players on the 40-man roster—Bryce Johnson, Will Wagner, Mason McCoy, and Tirso Ornelas—the team is in dire need of depth. None of these players are guaranteed locks, and their performances range from inconsistent to underwhelming. For instance, Johnson’s impressive .342 batting average last year was inflated by an unsustainable .442 average on balls in play, while Ornelas has yet to prove himself at the MLB level despite solid Triple-A numbers.
Bold prediction: The Padres might not be done shopping for hitters. With unsigned first basemen like Rhys Hoskins, Wilmer Flores, Justin Turner, and Ty France still on the market, along with designated hitters like Marcell Ozuna, Mitch Garver, and Andrew McCutchen, San Diego has plenty of options. And let’s not forget speculative trade targets like Ryan Mountcastle, Lenyn Sosa, and Ezequiel Duran. The question is, will they pull the trigger on another big name, or settle for a more budget-friendly option?
But wait, there’s more. The Padres aren’t just focusing on batting; they’re also eyeing pitching upgrades. President of Baseball Operations A.J. Preller has been vocal about adding another starter, though it’s likely to be a cheaper, back-end option. Interestingly, they were in the mix for Framber Valdez before he signed a massive three-year, $115MM deal with the Tigers. While Valdez was probably out of their budget, it shows San Diego’s ambition. Last year, they waited out the market to land Nick Pivetta in February, so could they pull off a similar move this time around?
The free-agent pitching market is still ripe with talent, including big names like Zac Gallen, Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, and Lucas Giolito. However, signing any of these stars would likely push JP Sears into a long relief role or back to Triple-A. The Padres’ current rotation boasts a strong top three with Pivetta, Michael King, and Joe Musgrove, but the talent level drops significantly after that. Randy Vásquez seems poised to claim one of the final spots, leaving Sears, Kyle Hart, and Matt Waldron as the only other starters on the 40-man roster. The team has also added Marco Gonzales and Triston McKenzie on minor league deals, but will that be enough?
Here’s the million-dollar question: Are the Padres doing enough to compete in a stacked division? Or are they spreading themselves too thin by chasing both hitting and pitching upgrades? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. One thing’s for sure—this offseason has been anything but boring for San Diego fans. Strap in, because the best might be yet to come.
