The Friar Faithful have spoken. In a recent Gaslamp Ball survey poll, more than 54% want the San Diego Padres to re-sign Michael King this offseason.
Usually, that wish would be unfulfilled because of the volatile market for free agent starting pitchers. Last Spring Training, many in the media projected him to be the top starter in this offseason’s class. But those expectations have changed.
Market reluctant to give King a big-money contract
King was expected to command a free agent contract worth upwards of $100 million, but his market value has decreased significantly due to durability issues. King’s meteoric rise since moving from the bullpen to the rotation has sputtered because of time spent on the injured list.
Last season, he battled through a pinched nerve in his throwing shoulder and left knee inflammation that limited him to only 15 starts in 2025. King had a 5-3 record with an impressive 3.44 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP, and a 24.7% strikeout rate in 73.1 innings pitched. The right-hander also improved on his walk rate (8.4%) in his second year as a starting pitcher.
Despite the laundry list of injuries, there is a lot to like in terms of his success as a starter. King has been lauded for the use of his five-pitch arsenal (headlined by a sinker, four-seam fastball, changeup, sweeper, and slider) in shutting down opposing offenses.
Starting pitching a top priority for the Friars
Padres President of Baseball Operations and General Manager A.J. Preller has expressed no concerns about King’s health, but that does not guarantee the organization will offer him a long-term contract to remain in San Diego. However, there is nothing more for King to prove his value to the franchise.
If re-signed, he would anchor an otherwise paper-thin starting rotation. Dylan Cease is also a free agent and expected to sign elsewhere. Yu Darvish recently underwent UCL surgery that will keep him out of the 2026 season. The is no guarantee that Joe Musgrove will return to being an effective starter after missing the entire 2025 season recovering from Tommy John surgery. The only guarantee is Nick Pivetta will be one of the Friars’ starters next season.
The rotation is facing significant uncertainty, so the Padres are looking to add more starting pitching this offseason. King should remain atop their winter wishlist because he has been a rotation stalwart since his arrival in San Diego. Re-signing him prevents a complete overhaul of the starting rotation.
Free agency can be unpredictable
King is 30 years old, and the Padres may offer a shorter high-risk, high-reward contract that allows him to prove his durability on the mound. His recent injury issues make it unrealistic for him to receive a long-term deal. But the Friars cannot afford to get in a bidding war for his services with one of baseball’s big spenders.
The usual suspects, such as the New York Mets, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Chicago Cubs could target King. The Friars must monitor the market’s interest in him, but they cannot fall into the trap of bidding against themselves.
The current trend in free agency is teams becoming increasingly cautious about offering starters contracts that span nearly a decade. Instead, they’re willing to pay top dollar on short-term deals. It eliminates the threat of having a megadeal putting a stranglehold on the franchise financially for years to come.
The competition for King should be fierce.
https://www.gaslampball.com/gaslamp...eed-to-break-the-bank-to-re-sign-michael-king (Thomas Conroy – Gaslamp Ball)
https://www.mlb.com/padres/news/2026-mvp-candidates-to-unseat-aaron-judge-and-shohei-ohtani (Will Leitch – Padres.com)
Toughest Rule 5 Draft decisions 2025 (Jonathan Mayo and Jim Callis – Padres.com)
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.co...t-owners-will-have-to-solve-multiple-puzzles/ (Tom Krasovic – U-T)
Dylan Cease and Michael King, along with the other 11 MLB players who received qualifying offers from their respective teams, have less than 24 hours to accept the offer of a one-year contract at $22.025 million for the 2026 season. The deadline is set for Tuesday at 1 p.m.
The San Diego Padres extended offers to Cease and King, knowing that one or both would decline the offer and test the free agency market. The price of pitching seems to climb with every offseason and there is no reason to think this offseason will be any different.
Cease did not have his best showing in San Diego last year, finishing 8-12 with a 4.55 ERA in 32 starts. However, he took the mound every time his turn in the rotation came up and he amassed 215 strikeouts over 168 innings pitched. The durability and strikeout numbers have teams like the Chicago Cubs, New York Mets and Boston Red Sox, among others, wanting to add the right-hander to their rotation for the 2026 season and beyond. Cease is a client of agent Scott Boras and he is known in baseball for taking his players to market to maximize their value and potential earnings. Cease is expected to continue that trend and will be rewarded with a sizeable contract based on predictions from around baseball.
King also had a down year in San Diego, but it was under different circumstances than his rotation mate. King had problems with his health, which started with a pinched nerve in his shoulder and led to an issue in his knee. He only made 15 starts and compiled a record of 5-3 with a 3.44 ERA over 73.1 innings. King also threw the only complete game of the 2025 season for the Padres.
There is a world where a Padres fan could talk themselves into believing King would accept the qualifying offer to get a raise, come back and have a strong season, and then test free agency in 2027. Without an expected lockout prior to the 2027 season, this scenario would make sense, but it might behoove the right-hander to get the best contract he can this offseason.
Will that best offer come from San Diego? It seems unlikely based on the reported limited financial flexibility of the Padres, but it does not mean he could not accept the qualifying offer before the deadline and work with the Padres on a contract extension prior to the end of the 2026 season.
Quality pitching does not come cheap, and Padres President of Baseball Operations and General Manager A.J. Preller will have to get creative if Cease and King do not accept the qualifying offer, and he wants to bring either of them back to San Diego.
https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...ing-to-accept-qualifying-offer-is-approaching (Matt DeWalt – Gaslamp Ball)
https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...e-hart-padres-agree-to-terms-on-one-year-deal (Matt DeWalt – Gaslamp Ball)
https://www.gaslampball.com/minor-l...572/arizona-fall-league-closes-out-its-season (Cheri Bell – Gaslamp Ball)
https://www.mlb.com/padres/news/kyle-hart-padres-contract-for-2026 (AJ Cassavell – Padres.com)
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/11/17/padres-re-sign-pitcher-kyle-hart/ (Kevin Acee – U-T)
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/11/the-padres-need-to-make-a-decision-on-luis-campusano.html (Darragh McDonald – MLB Trade Rumors)
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/11/padres-re-sign-kyle-hart.html (Nick Deeds – MLB Trade Rumors)
RHRP Garrett Hawkins
The San Diego Padres have several prospects eligible for the Rule 5 draft that takes place during the Winter Meetings in December. Tuesday was the deadline for adding eligible players to the roster to protect them from the draft.
The goal is to shield the players that the organization feels could be claimed and stick with the team that claims them. They would have to stay on the major league roster for the entirety of the 2026 season for the team to be able to keep them. Most of the eligible players are not major league ready, but the few that have a chance of making a major league roster have to be protected or possibly lost.
The Padres had 15 players that are Rule 5 eligible in December, but chose to protect only RHP Miguel Mendez and RHRP Garrett Hawkins. Both will be in Peoria for Spring Training and get a shot at making the roster for 2026. Following is a review of each player and their chance of making the Padres in 2026.
Miguel Mendez
Right-handed starter Miguel Mendez finished the 2025 season with Double-A San Antonio, but played most of the season with High-A Fort Wayne. Mendez went 7-3 with a 1.32 ERA in 12 starts with the Missions. Hitters only managed a .180 average off him, and he had a 28.6% K-rate. He has a triple-digit fastball that sits 96-97, an upper 80’s slider and a good changeup. He is 6-2 and 165 pounds with lots of room to add to his frame at 23 years old.
He finished 2025 with a 3.22 ERA with 118 strikeouts in 95 innings pitched across three levels.
He will get a good look during the spring and has a chance of being available for a call-up later in the season after starting the year in San Antonio. He could also be a trade piece if general manager A.J. Preller needs trade chips.
Garrett Hawkins
Right-handed reliever Garrett Hawkins returned from Tommy John surgery in 2025. He had a slow start through April while pitching in High-A Fort Wayne. After April 23, no one scored on him with the TinCaps and Hawkins went 34 straight scoreless innings until his promotion to Double-A San Antonio on Aug. 1.
During those 34 scoreless innings, Hawkins had 46 strikeouts to five walks and 10 hits. He finished in Fort Wayne with a 1.43 ERA and 37% K-rate in 44 innings.
In 2025, across his two levels, Hawkins had a 1.50 ERA with 80 strikeouts in 60 innings pitched. He was a starter before his surgery, but his last start was in 2023.
Hawkins now throws a fastball up to 98 mph with a low-80’s sweeper. At 25 years old and 6-5, 230 pounds, the right-hander has a good chance of pitching with the Padres during the 2026 season. He could be the first reliever added when reinforcements are needed during the season. Due to the deep and dominant bullpen that the Padres already have, Hawkins will only make the team out of Spring Training if the Padres need to add a reliever. He has closer stuff and should benefit from working with Ruben Niebla this spring.
Players eligible for the Rule 5 draft in December
Most of the players eligible for the Rule 5 draft are not major league ready and should not be at risk come December and the draft. Following are the most advanced of the remaining eligible minor league players in the Padres organization:
LHP Jagger Haynes
RHP Francis Pena
RHP Victor Lizarraga
1B Romeo Sanabria
OF Braedon Karpathios
IF Marcos Castañon
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The Friar Faithful are mourning the loss of San Diego Padres pitching legend Randy Jones, who died Tuesday at the age of 75. No cause of death was announced.
Jones played 10 seasons in the majors from 1979 to 1983. He became the first face of the franchise during his eight seasons in San Diego. The highlight of his stay was winning the 1976 Cy Young Award with a 22-14 record and 2.74 ERA. Jones made 40 starts with 25 complete games and threw 315.2 innings pitched. He accomplished this feat by throwing a sinking fastball between 75-78 MPH on most nights.
Older members of the Friar Faithful believe his 1975 season was better. Jones was 20-12 with a 2.24 ERA in 36 starts. He finished second to Tom Seaver in Cy Young Award voting.
Born in Fullerton, Calif., on Jan. 12, 1950, the Padres drafted him in the fifth round of the 1972 MLB Draft. Jones made his major league debut in 1973.
The downfall of his career occurred when he tore a nerve near his left bicep tendon during the final start of the 1976 season. The injury was diagnosed as thoracic outlet syndrome that required immediate surgery. Unfortunately, his art of deception on the mound was lost forever.
Jones finished his major league career with the New York Mets, as he played two seasons in Flushing. He attempted to make the 1983 Padres roster, but failed to secure a spot on the pitching staff during Spring Training in Yuma.
In retirement, Jones’ popularity soared among the Friar Faithful. Often, they would mingle with him at his Randy Jones BBQ stand, first in Qualcomm Stadium, then at Petco Park. He could be heard or seen on the team’s radio and television pre- and postgame shows.
The franchise honored Jones by retiring his No. 35 in 1997 and inducting him into the Padres Hall of Fame first class in 1999.
Diagnosed with throat cancer in 2017, Jones’ condition was linked to his lifelong use of chewing tobacco. During treatment, he was touched by the outpouring of support from the Friar Faithful. In May 2018, Jones was declared cancer-free by his doctors. Despite his health issues, he could be seen at Petco Park on most nights.
RIP, the old left-hander.
https://www.gaslampball.com/gaslamp...f-impact-will-potential-sale-have-on-the-team (Matt DeWalt – Gaslamp Ball)
https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...7/padres-legend-randy-jones-passes-away-at-75 (Thomas Conroy – Gaslamp Ball)
https://www.gaslampball.com/gaslamp...ns-top-priority-padres-eye-short-term-options (Thomas Conroy – Gaslamp Ball)
https://www.mlb.com/padres/news/randy-jones-dies (Shaun O’Neill – Padres.com)
https://www.mlb.com/padres/news/mlb-announces-media-rights-deals-with-espn-nbc-netflix (Anthony Castrovince – Padres.com)
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.co...es-was-the-sinkerballer-who-lifted-san-diego/ (Bill Center – U-T)
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.co...finalize-deal-to-stream-padres-games-in-2026/ (Jeff Sanders – U-T)
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.co...ble-not-to-smile-when-randy-jones-was-around/ (Jeff Sanders – U-T)
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/11/19/padres-icon-randy-jones-dies-at-75/ (Kirk Kenney – U-T)
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/68...nfred-owners-meetings-labor-mlbpa-jim-murray/ (Evan Drellich – The Athletic)
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6820362/2025/11/19/mlb-tv-deals-espn-nbc-netflix-peacock/ (Andrew Marchand – The Athletic)
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6820267/2025/11/19/randy-jones-san-diego-padres-pitcher-dies/ (Dennis Lin – The Athletic)https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/11/randy-jones-passes-away.html (Steve Adams – MLB Trade Rumors)
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Padres fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
The 2025-26 offseason has not been kind to the San Diego Padres, and with the announcement on Wednesday of the death of Padres legend Randy Jones, it seems to only get worse with each day.
The start of the offseason came too early in San Diego. The Friar Faithful and the players they root for were hoping the team would be playing well into October, but that was not the case as the Padres were bounced in the first round by the Chicago Cubs. San Diego did not have the best showing over the three-game series, and after the way the 2024 playoff run ended, it felt like another disappointing exit from the postseason.
The Padres’ offseason started with the surprise announcement that second-year manager Mike Shildt was going resign from his position, creating an unexpected vacancy after back-to-back 90-win seasons. The search for his replacement commenced immediately and resulted in the hiring of first-time manager, and former San Diego reliever, Craig Stammen. Padres fans hoped that with the managerial vacancy filled and the GM Meetings taking place in Las Vegas that same week, the business of the offseason could begin for San Diego. That proved not to be the case.
The Friar Faithful were surprised to receive and read a letter from Padres Chairman John Seidler that the Seidler family was going to “begin a process of evaluating our future with the Padres, including a potential sale of the franchise.” Some would, and did, say the news was not surprising and that it was inevitable after the death of former owner Peter Seidler two years ago. While that may be true, the timing of the announcement was surely unexpected by the majority.
And of course, as mentioned to start this article, the Padres announced the death of Jones on Wednesday. Tributes, memorials and dedications came pouring in from all corners of San Diego, the nation and the globe expressing condolences for the loss and sharing memories of chance meetings at the ballpark.
With so much happening in such a short amount of time, with the only positive news to this point in the offseason being the hiring of Stammen and the re-signing of left-hander Kyle Hart, it would be understandable if the Friar Faithful found themselves champing at the bit for the return of baseball games. However, while that may be therapeutic to fans and provide a distraction from the negative, how have the players been affected? They too have navigated through this point in the offseason and they too are affected by it all.
Each one of these situations could prove to be a distraction on its own, but with all of them taking place in the same offseason, it seems impossible that there will be no affect on the team. That being said, the most critical news to this point may be the potential sale of the franchise and how that will affect the team personnel, payroll, etc.
The Padres Reacts Survey this week is asking you, the Friar Faithful, how you think the team will be affected by a potential sale?
The San Diego Padres have made their second signing of the offseason according to a report by Darragh McDonald from MLB Trade Rumors. The Padres signed Pablo Reyes to a minor league deal and is expected to get an invite to Spring Training. Reyes would be considered a super utility, having played all over the infield and each of the outfield corners during his career. It appears to be another low risk signing by Padres President of Baseball Operations and General Manager A.J. Preller. With reportedly not much money to spend and a potential sale of the team on the horizon, signings like this may be what the Friar Faithful can expect for the remainder of the offseason.
- Padres beat writer AJ Cassavell wrote about five facts that made former San Diego pitcher Randy Jones, who passed away earlier this week, such a special person.
Baseball News:
- If you listen to Ben and Woods on 97.3 The Fan, you have probably heard of Eno Sarris from The Athletic. His recent story on The Athletic talks about bargains that can be found in free agency this offseason. It may be just the type of analysis the Padres need to fill out their roster for 2026.
- Two more players from Nippon Professional Baseball make the leap to MLB with Kazuma Okamoto and Kona Takahashi being posted according to a report from ESPN. They will each have the opportunity to sign with a team by Jan. 4.
The San Diego Padres have opened the offseason with several jaw-dropping announcements. First, Mike Shildt abruptly retired as manager, then Craig Stammen is hired as his replacement. The biggest bombshell news came a few days later, as the Siedler family decided to hire a firm to determine their financial market options, including the possibility of selling the franchise.
Despite all the distractions, Padres President of Baseball Operations and General Manager A.J. Preller still has intentions to improve the roster. However, it is improbable that he will add a big-money contract before a possible sale.
Adding payroll is not in the cards
In professional sports, upper management rarely agrees to adding payroll that diminishes the franchise’s market value. In the Friars case, they will allow Preller to address improving the starting rotation with easy fixes.
He will look to add a starting pitcher who is considered an “inning-eater” on a short-term deal. A small, practical signing keeps the Padres competitive on the field without creating future financial uncertainty for potential buyers.
Padres top offseason priority: Starting pitching
A free-agent addition of this nature will not get the Friar Faithful jumping for joy, but the starting rotation is in shambles. Michael King and Dylan Cease are free agents, with no guarantee that one or both are returning to San Diego. Yu Darvish is out for the 2026 campaign after undergoing UCL surgery at the end of October.
Joe Musgrove is expected to begin the season in the rotation after recovering from Tommy John surgery last summer. Questions will arise about how he will contribute in 2026. There is no evidence that Musgrove will be on an innings limit. However, most starters require time to rebuild their arm strength post-TJ surgery.
It should not surprise anyone if Stammen skips over Musgrove at certain points of next season to keep his arm healthy all season.
Randy Vasquez could become a full-time starter
The Padres have other internal starting pitching candidates that could join Nick Pivetta and Musgrove in the rotation. Some of the names include Randy Vasquez, JP Sears, Kyle Hart, and Matt Waldron.
Keep an eye on Vasquez, who made 26 starts last season. He came into his own on the mound, as the right-hander recorded a 6-7 record with a 3.84 ERA. Vasquez threw a career-high 133.2 innings, and the Friars expect him to become a full-time starter in the 2026 rotation.
The only logical major free-agent signing would be King, who Preller values highly and wants him to be a rotation mainstay for more than one season. If a deal cannot be reached, this free agent class has plenty of talent that could garner quality starting pitching options for the Friars.
No word on whether the Seidler family has approved an increase in the 2026 salary limit. Last season, the Friars’ payroll was $225 million, which landed them eighth on the MLB’s team salary list. But with free agency, opt-outs, and non-tenders, the Padres have only $176 million in guaranteed contracts for this upcoming campaign.
Preller is rolling the dice on adding one veteran starter who has some upside left on the mound.
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Padres fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
It has been an offseason to forget for the San Diego Padres to this point. Manager Mike Shildt abruptly walked away and retired after the Padres were bounced from the postseason in the first round by the Chicago Cubs, John Seifler sent a letter to fans advising them the Seidler family was going to explore options for the franchise, which could include a sale and most recently a beloved former player and familiar face in San Diego, Randy Jones, passed away. Needless to say, the Padres could use some good news in what has been an otherwise dismal offseason.
Maybe the prospects of new ownership can get the Friar Faithful back on track. Names like Stan Kroenke, owner of the Los Angeles Rams and other sports franchises, Joe Tsai, owner of the Brooklyn Nets and other sports franchises and Steve Ballmer, owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, have all been floated as billionaires who might have interest in purchasing the Padres. Most would agree that an owner with deep pockets could only be a good thing for San Diego, and would be the best way to keep late owner Peter Seidler’s dream of someday having a parade, alive.
While such a transaction will give the fans and media plenty to speculate, read and write about, our recent Padres Reacts Survey showed the majority of fans do not think the potential sale of the franchise will affect the team. At the end of the day, the players are paid to play the game. They cannot and do not control what happens in the owner’s suite. No matter who signs them, as long as the checks keep coming in, the players have to focus on the product on the field and figuring out a way to bring a championship to San Diego.
Luis Campusano will be returning to the San Diego Padres after he and the team agreed to a one-year deal for the 2026 season, according to a report from AJ Cassavell on Padres.com. The struggles of Campusano have been discussed in great detail over the past couple of seasons. His defense leads much to be desired and his offense, while impressive at Triple-A, does not seem to translate to MLB.
Former Padres manager Mike Shildt was not high on Campusano because he placed an emphasis on defense at the catcher position. Perhaps this season, with a new manager and with another year of experience under his belt, Campusano can find a way to contribute and remain with the MLB roster throughout the 2026 season.
- San Diego tendered contracts to six other players, one of whom was Jason Adam, who is still recovering from a ruptured quadriceps tendon that cut his 2025 season short. The other players who were tendered contracts were Mason Miller, Adrian Morejon, JP Sears, Freddy Fermin and Gavin Sheets. The players who were non-tendered were pitchers Sean Reynolds and Omar Cruz. Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors provided a full list of players who were non-tendered around MLB.
- The Padres signed Carlos Rodriguez to a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training according to a report from Charlie Wright of MLB Trade Rumors. This is the second signing of this nature in as many days for San Diego.
- After the announcement about ESPN broadcasting MLB games for the 2026 season on Thursday, many fans of the Padres wondered how it would affect their ability to watch the games. San Diego provided a statement to address these concerns, and made sure to include that Don Orsillo and Mark “Mud” Grant will continue to call games from the booth
Baseball News:
- The Texas Rangers made headlines with their non-tender players, one of which was Adolis Garcia. The outfielder was thought to be a potential trade candidate at the 2025 trade deadline, but remained with the team. A few months later he is no longer a Ranger and Texas gets nothing for him.
- Starting pitching is always a sought-after position in the offseason and this year is no different. The Athletic produced an article ranking the pitchers at the top of the market, which include Dylan Cease and Michael King.
Miguel Mendez, #5 prospect
With a limited spending budget seemingly obvious, Padres President of Baseball Operations A.J. Preller will once again need to be creative while filling out the roster for the 2026 season.
Going by recent statements, Preller will have an operating budget similar to last season. Estimating the current payroll, while adding in the arbitration numbers for players to be signed before the end of the deadline, gives Preller approximately $30 million to spend on the trade or free agent market.
Signing a free agent starting pitcher or a power bat will eat up a big portion of that available money. Bargain signings, similar to the multiple free agent minor league contracts seen last offseason, can add bulk to the options the Padres bring to Spring Training in February of 2026.
The list of needs for the team include multiple starting pitchers, a DH or first baseman and bench help. It isn’t reasonable to fill all those needs with bulk minor league contracts and one big free agent signing. That seems to indicate a need for a trade or two to help bridge that gap.
Limited trade chips
After the 2025 trade deadline, the organization had severely depleted its prospect capital to strengthen the on-field major league roster. Since then, the strength of the minor leagues has shown to be in pitching. Most of those prospects remain in the lower levels of the organization, but a few are nearing being available to the major league team.
Trading from that strength, while possibly adding a major league player/pitcher, could bring in a quality player or two. The Padres bullpen is its biggest strength and should not be diluted significantly. Dealing from the back of the bullpen would be a big mistake. If there is interest for the middle relief pitching options, that would be a consideration. There are multiple minor league relievers who are close to major league ready and could fill spots out of Spring Training.
Who could be available
Based on information being circulated on industry sites that evaluate talent and offseason activity, multiple teams are open to discussions on players they are interested in moving. The Minnesota Twins (RHP Joe Ryan), Washington Nationals, St Louis Cardinals (RHP Sonny Gray) and NY Mets (RHP Kodai Senga) are all rumored to be willing to engage in discussions.
Jeff Passan of ESPN, floated multiple possible moves that could take place this offseason. Many of the players he named would be a good fit for the Padres. The Pittsburgh Pirates could part with RHP Mitch Keller, the Cincinnati Reds might shop RHP Brady Singer or the Kansas City Royals could part with LHP Kris Bubic.
Which players could the Padres spare
It is unlikely the Padres would trade catcher Ethan Salas and it seems unlikely any team would ask for him after he missed almost all of 2025 with an injury. Removing Salas from the options, who in the system might interest other teams?
Newly drafted LHP Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP Kash Mayfield, RHP Miguel Mendez (just added to the 40-man roster), RHP Kannon Kemp, RHP Carson Montgomery and LHP Jagger Haynes are all starters that the Padres have as top prospects and could be available.
Shortstop Jorge Quintana, who was acquired at the trade deadline, Luis Campusano, Braedon Karpathios and Alex McCoy are all position players who could attract interest. Campusano was just re-signed for his last year of arbitration and is out of options so he has to make the team or he is gone. Karpathios and McCoy are in development and not ready for any major league time.
Multiple relievers could be available, starting with roster pitchers Alek Jacob, Bryan Hoeing, Ron Marinaccio, Yuki Matsui or Wandy Peralta. There could be interest in Bradgley Rodriguez or David Morgan as well as newly added Garrett Hawkins.
The Padres also have Tucker Musgrove and Harry Gustin as highly regarded pitchers in the minors. Both of them are relievers although both have high leverage possibilities. Several other of the top pitching prospects had down seasons in 2025 and might not be attractive to other organizations at this point.
It should be an interesting offseason for Padres fans. We have multiple holes on the roster, limited money for the payroll and few position players considered top prospects to use as trade bait. If there is enough talent among the pitchers to entice other teams to trade with Preller will become evident over the next few months.
AJ Cassavell of Padres.com completed his list of Top-10 moments in Padres history. Of course, this list may vary from the list you would come up with, but it is always fun to reflect on past events.
Baseball News:
- Baltimore Orioles President of Baseball Operations Mike Elias explained his reasoning for pulling off a trade earlier in the week where the Birds sent pitcher Grayson Rodriguez to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for outfielder Taylor Ward.
One of the missing pieces on the 2025 San Diego Padres postseason roster was Jason Adam. He ruptured his left quadricep tendon, which required surgery, in September. The Friar Faithful received encouraging news on their star reliever, as he could be back on the mound at the start of next season.
Adam is a mainstay of the Padres’ bullpen
Initial reports following the surgery indicated that Adam would start the 2026 season on the injured list, with an expected recovery timeline of six to nine months. But his rehabilitation has gone well, and Adam could be available for Opening Day. The City of San Diego should rejoice, as the Padres aim to make another run at the postseason.
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Since his arrival, Adam has become one of the Friars’ top late-inning options out of the bullpen. Last season was special for him; he was named to an All-Star team for the first time in his major league career. The right-hander notched a 1.93 ERA in 65 appearances. Adam allowed 78 baserunners in 65.1 innings pitched, but only 18 of them scored.
Despite Suarez’s expected departure, bullpen is talented
Despite the opt-out of Robert Suarez, the Friars should have a quality mix coming out of the ‘pen next season. Barring a surprise trade or free agent signing, Mason Miller and Adrian Morejon have emerged as the team’s closer and eighth-inning specialist. Between the two, Miller has more experience as a closer, with 50 career saves for his three-year major league career.
If called upon, the closer role is not new to Adam. But it has been a while since he was thrust into duty. Adam served as the Tampa Bay Rays closer in 2023. The right-hander earned 12 saves in 56 appearances. However, it might be better served for the Padres to utilize Adam in the seventh-inning setup role.
When healthy, he has been the most efficient bridge reliever to the closer in baseball.
The primary objective for the 2026 campaign is to remain injury-free all season. All eyes in Peoria will be on Adam to determine if he can regain strength in his leg to begin the season on the roster. If not, the Friars would be wise not to speed up the recovery process.
The Padres do not have a surplus of talent. It is important for Adam to return to last season’s pitching level for the Friars to have success.
Finally, some good news from the San Diego Padres during this offseason! Gaslamp Ball’s Thomas Conroy talks about how All-Star reliever Jason Adam could return for the start of the 2026 season.
Padres News:
- Padres Manager Craig Stammen is making additions to his coaching staff, including a bench coach and a new hitting coach. Both selections are sure to be discussed and scrutinized by the Friar Faithful, but expectations for Randy Knorr and Steven Souza Jr. will be high.
Baseball News:
- Teams are showing interest in former San Diego players on the free agent market with Michael King and Robert Suarez being potential targets.
- There are nine new managers across Major League Baseball and they will face many challenges. Thomas Harrigan posted a story on Padres.com identifying the “biggest” challenge for each of them.
- Colorado Rockies announced they will make Waren Shaeffer their full-time manager after he was named the interim manager after Bud Black was fired early in the 2025 season.
- Houston Astros closer Josh Hader is “back to normal” after he missed the last two months of the season with a shoulder injury.
- Kyle Tucker is one of the biggest names on the free agent market and is arguably the top player. Reports have speculated the Los Angeles Dodgers or Toronto Blue Jays will attempt to sign Tucker, and Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors identifies nine possible fits for the outfielder.
Luis Campusano
The San Diego Padres drafted catcher Luis Campusano in the second round of the 2017 draft. He moved through the minors quickly, reaching the Padres in 2020 for a brief look. Around injuries and returns to the minor leagues, Campusano worked up the Padres prospect list with high hopes for his career.
During all of his time in the major leagues in 2022 and 2023, Campusano flashed moments of success combined with improving plate discipline. Then in 2024, his offense at the major league level took a step back and his defense regressed as well. Although never more than an average defender behind the plate, Campusano showed mental lapses and technique mistakes that made him spend more and more time either on the bench or in the minor leagues.
In 2025, Campusano knocked the ball all around Triple-A, with 25 doubles, 25 home runs and 95 RBI, but was 0-21 at the major league level in his multiple brief appearances.
What is his future?
In 2021, Campusano was the Padres #3 prospect with average ratings for defense and an above average bat. It is difficult to understand what has gone wrong. The organization has continued to invest time and money in Campusano, signing him to a guaranteed $900,000 contract for 2026 with president of baseball operations A.J. Preller quoted as saying- “He’s going to be in our mix next year, for sure,” Preller said last month, per Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune. “I’m hoping his experiences this year are going to help him overall as a player.”
The experience he spoke of was the wipe-out season he put up in El Paso. The question is why has he not been able to translate that to the major league field. The inconsistent and short opportunities can be explained by the fact that his skills as a catcher have regressed and having him handle a pitching staff for a contending team is not an attractive option.
If the organization had any faith in him, signing Elias Diaz and Martin Maldonado last season would have provided him the perfect opportunity. Neither of the veterans were able to hit and Campusano should have been able to take the back up job as his own. But he never caught a single game for the Padres, all his at-bats were as a DH.
So what is his role now?
Preller seemed to indicate that he would be given a chance in the spring to show his improvement. Campusano is currently in the Dominican Republic, playing Winter Ball with Tigres de Licey. He is not the DH or the first baseman. He is catching and it will be up to him to prove that he can stick at catcher and is working to improve his game.
The past two Padres managers, Bob Melvin and Mike Shildt, both showed they had no confidence in Campusano as a game manager or defensive partner to the pitching staff. With the acquisition of Freddy Fermin at last season’s trade deadline, Campusano no longer has any pressure to be the starting catcher for the Padres. Being good enough to back up Fermin, as well as DH, could be the role Preller envisions for him going forward.
Campusano is out of options and either makes the major league roster in 2026 or has to clear waivers to be sent to the minors. The other option is for Preller to give him a fresh start with another organization. Trading him seems the best option if there is no improvement in his production.
Do better with Salas
Whatever happens this offseason with Campusano, the Padres need to examine what role they played in his stalled development. Did they move him too quickly? Was too much pressure put on a young catcher?
The Padres still have Ethan Salas as a prospect in the system. Despite losing almost all of 2025 due to injury, he can still be given the proper guidance and time to develop where Campusano has not. Hopefully, Preller and the organization can get something out of their investment in Campusano and learn from the experience so Salas doesn’t repeat it.
Fans of the San Diego Padres have been waiting for Luis Campusano to live up to the potential that saw him rise to the No. 3 prospect in the San Diego system. He went 0-for-21 at the plate during 2025 at the major league level, but tore up Triple-A with he El Paso Chihuahuas. Cheri Bell of Gaslamp Ball tried to examine what and where it went wrong for “Campy” over the past couple of seasons and what his future may be.
Padres News:
- Jason Adam could not help San Diego on the field after rupturing his quadriceps tendon, ending his 2025 season. AJ Cassavell talks about how that did not stop him from helping out in the community as he and the Padres handed out Thanksgiving dinners to families.
- Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune examines the free agent market and provided a list of the top-15 available free-agent candidates. He does not go as far as making predictions for where these players will land, but he does provide some of the latest rumors or updates on teams showing interest in the players.
Baseball News:
- Like Sanders of the U-T, Andy McCullough of The Athletic sets his sights on a list of free agents, but his list predicts a Black Friday deal for each team.
- The St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox reached a deal that sent Sonny Gray to Boston for prospects, showing the Red Sox are gearing up to challenge the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees for the AL East crown.
- While the big-name free agents always seem to wait until the Winter Meetings to sign with a team, lesser deals trickle in throughout the offseason. The Tampa Bay Rays made one of the lower tier signings agreeing to terms with Jake Fraley.
- After their big trade with the Texas Rangers, the New York Mets added minor league signings to their list of offseason accomplishments, agreeing to terms with Ruobert Stock and Nick Burdi.
