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[San Diego Padres]

Padres Reacts Survey Results: Fans do not expect much from A.J. Preller, San Diego at MLB Winter Meetings

The Friar Faithful have lived this experience before.

The San Diego Padres and their general manager and president of baseball operations A.J. Preller are heading into MLB Winter Meetings in Orlando, Fla. with little financial flexibility and an unknown list of targets to fill the roster. Fans can only speculate about how Preller and the front office will stretch what few dollars the organization has or is willing to spend to build their team for 2026.

Of course, trades are an option, but that is only if the San Diego system has something to offer the other 29 teams in the league. There is talent in the Padres system, the problem is that most of that talent is years removed from reaching the major leagues.

With those factors in mind, readers of Gaslamp Ball have proclaimed overwhelmingly, they do not expect much to happen over the Winter Meetings. Less than a quarter of those who participated in the Padres Reacts Survey believe the Padres will make any significant moves this week, especially in terms of a big-name signing.

Whether or not that is the case, no one knows, at least no one outside the walls of the San Diego executive offices, but thanks to MLB Network we will all be able to sit back and watch it unfold in real time.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/gaslamp...-a-j-preller-san-diego-at-mlb-winter-meetings

 

[San Diego Padres]

Good Morning San Diego: Winter Meetings are approaching, young players in the Padres organization are trying to make a name for themselves

The offseason has not brought much news or much positive news with regard to the San Diego Padres. That has not stopped multiple players from the lower levels of the organization from playing in the various winter leagues to improve their skills. Luis Campusano went 0-for-21 last year at the MLB level so his time in the winter leagues could be beneficial if he has any chance to make the Padres roster in 2026.

Padres News:

• Thomas Conroy looks at what San Diego could find on the trade market if the starting pitching free agent market proves to be too costly. Based on some of the early signings and projected numbers on future signings, trades may be the only way Padres General Manager and President of Baseball Operations A.J. Preller can fill out his rotation.

• Every team has needs, especially at this time of year on the baseball calendar. MLB.com has compiled a least of each team’s biggest need as the MLB Winter Meetings approach.

Baseball News:

• The reported deal between free agent outfielder Cedric Mullins and the Tampa Bay Rays made headlines last week, but the team made the deal official with an announcement Saturday.

• The Los Angeles Dodgers are one of if not the only team in MLB with little or no needs. That will not stop them from trying to keep their two-time World Series winning team together. It was reported Saturday the team would like to bring back Enrique “Kike” Hernandez next season.

• The Washington Nationals and Seattle Mariners reached a trade agreement that sent Jose Ferrer from Washington to Seattle for Harry Ford.

• Social media reports indicated free agent pitcher Zac Gallen and the Chicago Cubs agreed to a deal that would bring him to the Northside. However, those reports were quickly refuted and changed to state the Cubs were hopeful they could add the starter to their rotation. The Cubs are one of many teams interested in adding Gallen this offseason.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...tion-are-trying-to-make-a-name-for-themselves

 

[San Diego Padres]

Good Morning San Diego: A.J. Preller, the Padres are on the clock

Owners, general managers and front office personnel from all 30 MLB teams reported to Orlando, Fla. for the MLB Winter Meetings, which will be in full swing today. It has become commonplace to see some of the big-name free agents agree to new contracts or teams lineup on a trade that shuffles their respective lineups as they prepare for the upcoming season. Fans of the San Diego Padres were asked if they expected president of baseball operation and general manager A.J. Preller to make a significant move this week and the answer was overwhelmingly, “no.” Maybe he will surprise the Friar Faithful, but it seems unlikely.

Padres News:

USA Today sports columnist Bob Nightengale is reporting the Padres are aggressively shopping infielder Jake Cronenworth to the 29 other MLB teams citing the need to offload salary in order to address pitching vacancies.

Baseball News:

• Jim Callis, Sam Dykstra and Jonathan Mayo came together to write a piece about recent successes of teams in the Rule 5 Draft. The writers identified one success story from each of the 30 MLB teams. Considering the current pitching predicament for San Diego – reading this may hurt a little.

• With the Winter Meeting taking place this week, the rumor mill is churning. There are reports the San Francisco Giants have interest in outfielder Harrison Bader, the Boston Red Sox have interest in a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks for second baseman Ketel Marte and that the Pittsburgh Pirates have extended a contract offer to free agent slugger Kyle Schwarber. Of course, none of this means anything until contracts are signed or trade agreements have been reached, but the next few days will have no shortage of speculation and intrigue.

• If the trade with Arizona does not come to fruition for Boston, there are reports they would have interest in free-agent infielder Bo Bichette. Speculation all offseason has been that the Toronto Blue Jays will bring him back to make a run at a return to the World Series, but the longer he is available the more time teams have to try to convince him to take his talents elsewhere.

• Longtime Giants second baseman Jeff Kent can now call himself a Hall of Famer. He was the only player selected from the Contemporary Baseball Era ballot with names like Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens coming up short, yet again.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...diego-a-j-preller-the-padres-are-on-the-clock

 

[San Diego Padres]

Good Morning San Diego: Mason Miller, Adrian Morejon, David Morgan staying in ‘pen according to Craig Stammen, A.J. Preller

The first decision regarding the San Diego Padres came with the start of MLB Winter Meetings. Manager Craig Stammen and president of baseball operations and general manager A.J. Preller stated the San Diego bullpen will remain intact. There have been questions about Mason Miller, Adrian Morejon and possibly David Morgan moving from the ‘pen to the starting rotation due to the significant need for starting pitching. Stammen and Preller confirmed none of the three will be converted to starters – for now.

Padres News:

• San Diego signed another reliever to an MLB contract the team announced Monday. Right-hander Daison Acosta will join Ty Adcock as another free-agent arm in an ever-growing bullpen. Acosta has spent eight seasons in the minor leagues with the New York Mets and Washington Nationals but has yet to make his MLB debut.

• Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune noted a Preller extension is still being discussed with current Padres chairman John Seidler and that the expectation is a deal will come to fruition at some point.

• According to John Seidler, in another story from the San Diego Union-Tribune’s Kevin Acee, San Diego expects to have a payroll similar to where it was for the 2025 season. He added the team is operating as it has the past several years.

• Desperate times call for desperate measures and by all accounts the Padres are desperate to clear some payroll in order to have the financial flexibility needed to address the holes on the roster. The was made more evident with an article from Dennis Lin of The Athletic, who reported San Diego will listen to offers for starter Nick Pivetta. Jake Cronenworth is also expected to be shopped in an effort to create some financial freedom, but no deals are eminent on either front.
• Stammen is finalizing his staff, adding three more coaches according to a report from Mark Polishuk from MLB Trade Rumors. Bob Henley, Ryan Goins and Kevin Plawecki are coming on as the third base coach, infield coach and catching coach, respectively.

Baseball News:

• The Detroit Tigers have made it known that no one on their roster is untouchable, and that includes 2025 AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal.

• Free agent first baseman Pete Alonso is expected to meet with the Baltimore Orioles and the Boston Red Sox, Tuesday at the winter meetings. Both teams are expective to be active in free agency and both are looking to convince Alonso to don their jersey in 2026.

• It was reported the Red Sox have already had a video meeting with another big-name free agent, infielder Bo Bichette. It is unknown if Boston would sign both Alonso and Bichette, but it does appear the Rod Sox fully intend to add offense this offseason.

• Free agent starter Framber Valdez reportedly met with the San Francisco Giants, New York Mets and Orioles. He is widely considered the best free agent starter available after Dylan Cease agreed to a deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. The Giants, Mets and Orioles will surely have competition from other teams before Valdez makes his decision.

• The buzz around a possible trade for Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte started before the winter meetings and it has grown at the meetings with reports stating the trade interest has increased. Marte is one of a few notable players to garner trade interest with some of the others being Tampa Bay Rays starter Shane Baz, Washington Nationals starter MacKenzie Gore and shortstop C.J. Abrams. Will any or all of these players be moved is anyone’s guess. The conversation about a Baz trade may increase after it was reported the Rays agreed to a deal with free agent left-hander Steven Matz.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...in-pen-according-to-craig-stammen-a-j-preller

 

[San Diego Padres]

Good Morning San Diego: Several questions surround the Padres organization, the upcoming Winter Meetings might provide some answers

The addition of Ty Adcock to the bullpen could mean several things for the San Diego Padres. It could be a sign the team is not going to rest on the success of the past and look to build on a strength. It could mean that Mason Miller or Adrian Morejon, perhaps both, will be given an opportunity to return to the starting rotation. It could also mean general manager is looking to improve his team through trades and he has a bevy of bullpen arms that could be enticing to other teams, and he may need to have players ready to step in to newly vacated roles. It seems inevitable that the Frair Faithful will get some answers with Winter Meetings taking place next week.

Padres News:

• AJ Cassavell of Padres.com provides his thoughts on some of the questions many San Diego fans have been asking. Is Mason Miller going to be a starter? Is a Michael King return possible? Is there any chance the Padres swing big and land Kyle Schwarber? There are other questions asked and answered, but these seem to be most commonly asked among the fanbase.

• Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune looks at the reliever prospects in the San Diego organization, and it should be no surprise to the Friar Faithful that he lists Bradgley Rodriguez as the top reliever prospect to watch heading into the 2026 season.

• There seems to be a lot of interest in free agent pitcher Michael King and rightfully so. It does appear that potential suitors are a bit weary of the nerve issue that caused him to miss time last season, and that is suppressing his market in terms of years and money. However, several teams have shown interest, to include the Padres, but no one team has emerged as the top candidate to land the right-hander.

Baseball News:

• Could the Miami Marlins, who have shown interest in adding a pitcher like King, look to deal their top pitchers this offseason? Will Sammon and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic have heard that Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera are drawing attention from teams around the league and could be available for the right price.

• Jim Bowden of The Athletic provided his Winter Meetings wish list, which includes free-agent signings and possible trades that he would like to see happen next week in Orlando, Fla. The one that may interest fans in San Diego is his trade idea of catcher Ethan Salas and right-handed pitchers Miguel Mendez, Humberto Cruz and Bradgley Rodriguez for starters Drew Rasmussen and Shane Baz to help the Padres address their rotation needs.
• Player evaluations are a science that many fans speculate about. MLB scouts, front offices and general managers have to take several factors into account before deciding to draft/sign a player or pursue a player in free agency. Eno Sarris and Chandler Rome of The Athletic provide insight into how those evaluations happen and how decisions are made.
• Former Padres prospect and one-time starter MacKenzie Gore, now with the Washington Nationals, is drawing trade interest from several teams. It has been reported that the young lefty is expected to be dealt in the coming days, and with so many teams in search of starting pitching the top suitor is anyone’s guess.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...ng-winter-meetings-might-provide-some-answers

 

[San Diego Padres]

Padres manager Craig Stammen and the Winter Meetings

Craig Stammen

Newly hired San Diego Padres manager Craig Stammen made his debut at the 2025 MLB Winter Meetings on Monday. He had his general media availability as well as doing interviews on MLB Network, the MLB Sirius XM station as well as talking with Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan (the Padres flagship station).

Stammen opened his availability with a general media presser where he answered questions regarding pitching, offseason activity as well as how to deal with Spring Training with the WBC looming.

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The Winter Meeting officially began Sunday with the Hall of Fame announcement, with Jeff Kent the only player named to the Hall by the Contemporary Era Committee.

Monday was the first full day of meetings with all teams involved with discussions as well as giving media availability to MLB Network and other media outlets.

General media press conference

Craig Stammer’s initial presser brought clarity to the issue of transitioning bullpen arms to the rotation by stating that the organization has held talks with Mason Miller and Adrian Morejon and they are inclined to keep both in the bullpen for the time being. Stammen suggested that the players also preferred staying in the bullpen.

Both Stammen and president of baseball operations, A.J. Preller, referred to the bullpen being a team strength and their unwillingness to weaken their biggest strength. Both Miller and Morejon have had injury issues while starting and have been healthy as relievers. That could also be a big part of the present decision.

It was also mentioned that David Morgan will stay in the bullpen for the 2026 season. Stammen referred to the need for Morgan to have a good second season with continued growth and success before making any changes to his role.

Trip to the Dominican Republic

Stammen referred to his recent trip to the Dominican to visit Fernando Tatis, Jr., Ramón Laureano, Randy Vasquez and Wandy Peralta. He hit with Tatis, and they had dinner prepared by Tatis’ chef. His visit also included some time with Vasquez, stating that the right-hander has an aggressive workout routine this offseason and is very excited for 2026. The Padres team that toured the country also visited the Padres development facility and watched Luis Campusano play for Tigres de Licey.

WBC and Spring Training

The WBC will take place during March of 2026, while Spring Training is taking place. The Padres figure to lose multiple players to WBC teams at the beginning of March. Stammen referred specifically to Manny Machado and Tatis leaving to play with the Dominican team. He said he was hopeful that other players will step up and take over leadership roles during the spring and specifically mentioned Jackson Merrill as a player he feels is ready to take on more responsibility.

In the past, Machado and Tatis have played for the DR and Xander Bogaerts has been with the Netherlands team. Due to his injury, Yu Darvish will not be playing for Japan this year and should be with the Padres.

Yu Darvish

Asked by a media member what he expected from Darvish for 2026, Stammen passed along the close relationship Darvish has with Randy Vasquez and he expects that will continue during this season. He believes Darvish will be a strong mentor for the entire pitching staff while rehabbing from his UCL surgery.

MLB Network

During his interview on the TV side, Stammen described his role with the team as a special assistant. He had player development responsibilities with pitchers, worked closely with the minor league teams to mentor their pitchers and did on-field coaching with both major and minor league players. After working in uniform with pitchers, he would join Preller in his box to watch the game and discuss multiple aspects as the game progressed.

He believes as a recent player he will have a unique viewpoint of the challenges the players deal with and will have better communication as a result. He feels this should give him a better grasp of the mental side of what the players are going through during the season.

A.J. Preller with Sammy Levitt

97.3 FM correspondent, Sam Levitt, visited Preller in his suite at the Winter Meetings. Preller reiterated the present plan to keep Miller, Morejon and Morgan in the bullpen. He likes the strength of the bullpen. As many Padres fans are aware, Preller listens to all offers. No player seems to be untouchable at this point. He likes to explore how other organizations value the Padres players as well as begin laying the groundwork for future trades or free agent signings.

Preller specifically mentioned their ability to scout and sign both Jeremiah Estrada and Eduarniel Nunez as players that other teams undervalued and the Padres development team spotted and helped sign. This introduced the topic of the signing of Ty Adcock and Daison Acosta to major league deals despite both having all or mostly minor league experience.

Preller acknowledged that those two and Kyle Hart were depth signs that allows them to add strength to strength with the bullpen.

Levitt speaks with Stammen

Sam Levitt also had a one-on-one interview with Stammen after his media availability ended. They discussed the health of Fernando Tatis, Jr. and how he is training normally after having other offseasons where he was recovering from injury and not able to build up normally. He expects more from Tatis this season has a result. He highlighted being impressed with Randy Vasquez’s work and motivation to improve for 2026.

He discussed building team chemistry during Spring Training, despite missing players to the WBC for part of that time. He emphasized that communication will be an emphasis for the players in camp and the players returning from the WBC will be able to step into an already established system.

Stammen briefly reviewed the qualities of the newly hired hitting and bench coaches. He highlighted that both are well known to him and Randy Knorr has extensive experience in baseball, including many years as a bench coach. Hitting coach Steven Souza is recently active as a player and has a grasp of the challenges faced by hitters in the current MLB environment.

It seems that recent experience is being emphasized for the hitting coach versus long-time coaching experience. The bench coach is a different situation with Knorr being well known to Stammen but also very experienced.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...manager-craig-stammen-and-the-winter-meetings

 

[San Diego Padres]

Padres confirm Mason Miller to remain in bullpen in 2026

The Friar Faithful were not surprised that San Diego Padres manager Craig Stammen unofficially named Mason Miller as the team’s closer for the 2026 season.

Typically, news of this nature would not even register on your social media feeds. However, Padres President of Baseball Operations and General Manager A.J. Preller said earlier in the offseason that Miller could be converted into a starter because his arm is that electric. But keeping him in the ‘pen is not a bad thing.

Miller is the logical choice to replace Suarez​

Stammen’s revelation was not meant to foreshadow potential offseason moves; the Friars’ urgent need for starting pitching is as great as any team in the majors. But not at the price of dismantling the back end of the bullpen.

Last summer’s trade for Miller solidified the San Diego ‘pen for the stretch run to the postseason. Now, he replaces Robert Suarez as the team’s closer. Tough act to follow, as Suarez posted a 4-6 record with 40 saves and a 2.97 ERA in 70 appearances.

After opting out of his contract, the Friars never considered re-signing him at the current market price for closers. Their biggest concern was Suarez’s 17 blown saves in 94 save opportunities during his four-year major league career. Failure to close out games may cost him money this winter.

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Upon his arrival in San Diego, Miller has been outstanding, recording a 0.77 ERA in 22 appearances. Miller struck out 45 batters in 23.1 innings pitched. By season’s end, the San Diego ‘pen was one of the best in baseball. Collectively, the group ended 2025 with a 3.02 ERA, which led the majors.

Latest trend: Coverting relievers into starters​

The latest trend in baseball is converting relievers into starters, as several teams have achieved success. It helps to keep payroll intact, as most of the candidates are under team control for multiple seasons. Often, they claim their fortune on the open market.

Miller began his professional career as a starting pitcher in the Athletics’ farm system. He suffered a UCL injury that forced the organization to move him to the ‘pen. It did not take Miller long to become one of the best closers in baseball.

The Friars had great success in transitioning Seth Lugo and Michael King from set-up relievers to top-flight starting pitchers. It seemed logical that Miller was a terrific candidate to make the same transition in 2026. But not at the expense of weakening the bullpen.

The club controls him for four more seasons, so the threat of an arm injury is not worth the risk. It makes sense for Preller to pursue other options to fill out the starting rotation.

Operating under a tight payroll budget, the Padres are working hard to strengthen their roster. The attraction of filling a rotation spot with an in-house candidate is enticing, but it could weaken a strength, the pitching staff, from last season’s team.

They cannot afford a vacancy in the ninth inning. Keeping Miller in the ‘pen offers a proven commodity to close out games.

Now, the Friars will have to explore the trade and free agent market to acquire starting pitching. Hopefully, payroll restrictions will not limit their choices.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/gaslamp...irm-mason-miller-to-remain-in-bullpen-in-2026

 

[San Diego Padres]

Good Morning San Diego: Padres still in need of pitching, but belief is they will remain active throughout the winter

MLB Winter Meetings were intriguing for baseball fans, but left fans of the San Diego Padres wanting more. There was some clarity about the bullpen and payroll, but how general manager A.J. Preller is going to address all the needs on the San Diego roster remains in question. It does seem that trades will be the most likely method.

If Preller is able to consummate one or more trades, perhaps that will create some financial room for the Padres to pursue starting pitching on the free agent market. Other than Dylan Cease, who signed with the Toronto Blue Jays, all the top free agent pitchers remain available.

Gaslamp Ball asked its readers to make a choice. If given the chance, would the Friar Faithful add Framber Valdez, Ranger Suarez, Michael King, Zac Gallen or another arm? Admittedly, an opportunity to sign one of these pitchers is a longshot, but its never zero.

Padres News:

• MLB announced the Padres and the Arizona Diamondbacks will play the Mexico City Series in 2026. The series will consist of two games and will take place April 25 and 26 at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu Beisbol.
• With news that Mason Miller will remain in the San Diego bullpen and not be converted to a starter, Thomas Conroy of Gaslamp Ball looks at the impact that decision can have on the 2026 season.
• The second day of winter meetings was largely filled with interviews and comments from Padres general manager A.J. Preller. Granted, he has the ability to say a lot without saying much at all, but he reaffirmed what manager Craig Stammen said the previous day, the bullpen will remain intact.
• Preller was asked many times in various ways of star right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. was untouchable and he would never give a direct answer to the question. AJ Cassavell of Padres.com reported Preller said Wednesday, “He’s somebody that we’re not talking about.” Dennis Lin of The Athletic reported teams have called about Tatis and continue to do so, but San Diego has no desire to trade him. Surely the fanbases in New York and Boston will be sad to see this report, but it should put an end to the speculation.
• Cassavell added another report where he outlines the needs of the Padres, and reminds fans that with Preller you can always expect something. Cassavell said San Diego will continue to work throughout the winter despite not making any significant moves during the meetings and Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune has similar expectations.

Baseball News:

• Pete Alonso found his home for the next five seasons, agreeing to a $155 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles. Alonso was the second former New York Mets player to leave Queens for another team in two days.
• Outfielder Mike Yastrzemski and the Atlanta Braves agreed to a two-year, $23 million deal.
• The Rule 5 Draft took place and 13 players were selected. The Padres did not make a selection and no minor leaguers from the San Diego system were selected.
• The top free agent position player available, Kyle Tucker, is drawing interest from the New York Mets and New York Yankees. There are other clubs who have shown interest, but a potential landing spot remains in question.
• Tucker is not the only free agent drawing interest from the Yankees. New York is reportedly remaining engaged with Cody Bellinger and considering re-signing him to keep him in pinstripes.
• Pitcher Freddy Peralta is a Milwaukee Brewer. Whether or not he remains a Brewer is unknown. The Yankees, Boston Red Sox and San Francisco Giants have all shown a willingness to trade for the right-hander.
• One-time Texas Rangers outfielder Joey Gallo is looking to make a return to MLB, this time as a pitcher. Reportedly several teams have shown interest in adding him for that position.
• MLB announcer Joe Buck will join his father in the National Baseball Hall of Fame as the 2026 Ford C. Frick Award Winner.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...they-will-remain-active-throughout-the-winter

 

[San Diego Padres]

Padres Reacts Survey: Winter Meetings come to a close with pitching market still wide open

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.

MLB Winter Meetings ended Wednesday without any of the top free agent starters signing contracts. Framber Valdez, Ranger Suarez, Michael King and Zac Gallen and others remain available to all 30 MLB teams. Valdez, Suarez, King and Gallen could take as long as they need to make a deal with a team. Tatsuya Imai, who is the top international free agent pitcher has until Jan. 2 to make his decision on his MLB home.

Dylan Cease set the market for proven MLB starters with his contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, agreeing to a seven-year, $210 million deal. Cease attended the winter meetings with his agent Scott Boras and was officially introduced as a Blue Jay.

The San Diego Padres are in desperate need of starting pitching and that is evident to all of baseball. Throughout the winter meetings the Padres were included in trade rumors, but were rarely mentioned on the free agent front, especially when it came to the top pitchers. However, there was a report that San Diego had interest in Imai, but he is an unknown in MLB.

The lack of conversation involving the Padres and free agents surely stems from the reported financial constraints that have been the topic of discussion surrounding the team each of the past two offseasons. It also provides insight as to why San Diego is reportedly extremely active in trade conversations.

If one or more of the trades come to fruition and somehow San Diego is able to create financial flexibility, maybe they will make a run at Valdez, Suarez, King or Gallen – if they are still available at that time. After all, the Padres waited until Spring Training was about to start before signing their 2025 ace Nick Pivetta. Given those choices, which starter would you like to see San Diego add to the 2026 rotation?

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/gaslamp...-a-close-with-pitching-market-still-wide-open

 

[San Diego Padres]

Good Morning San Diego: Padres, Mets could be working to make a trade, but that does not mean Francisco Lindor is coming to San Diego

Rumors of a potential trade between the San Diego Padres and the New York Mets have been swirling since the MLB Winter Meetings. Steven Woods from Ben & Woods on 97.3 The Fan speculated that a package headlined by closer Mason Miller from San Diego could bring a return from New York that included shortstop Francisco Lindor. Sounds like a pipe dream for sure, but social media has picked up where Woods left off and the mock trades have only increased the speculation.

All of this speculation has followed a report by Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune that Padres President of Baseball Operations and General Manager A.J. Preller was working on many fronts and that a trade that would rival the Juan Soto trade prior to the 2024 season could happen. It did not happen at the winter meetings, but the thought is Preller will continue to push to make deals throughout the winter.

Former San Diego closer Robert Suarez signed a deal with the Atlanta Braves, Thursday and that has only breathed new life into the possibility of a Miller trade. Preller has stated that he is not looking to trade Miller or any of the other top arms in his bullpen, but he has also said in previous interviews that he will listen on anyone.

Padres News:

• In a somewhat curious move, the Padres are reportedly interested in making a deal with the Colorado Rockies to acquire center fielder Brenton Doyle. San Diego signed Jackson Merrill to a long-term contract prior to the 2025 season, and he is currently manning center field for the Friars. However, the interest in Doyle may have something to do with rumors that the Padres have received trade interest about their left fielder, Ramon Laureano, who came to San Diego at the trade deadline last season after a trade with the Baltimore Orioles.

Baseball News:

• Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger are the two big-name position players remaining unsigned. There is talk that Bellinger may not sign until Tucker in an effort to maximize his contract potential. Tucker has been sought after by many MLB teams and for much of the offseason speculation has been that he will sign with the Toronto Blue Jays. After Pete Alonso left the New York Mets to sign with the Baltimore Orioles, Tucker to New York makes some sense. The Los Angeles Dodgers have also reportedly expressed interest in Tucker, but do not want to commit to an extended contact. There are six teams that are thought to be the favorites to land Tucker and Travis Sawchik of MLB.com ranks the New York Yankees, the Mets, the San Francisco Giants, Blue Jays, Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies in order of best fit for the free agent outfielder.
• With all the negative press that has befallen the Mets over the past few days, a major move might salvage their offseason. There is speculation that New York could try to make a trade for 2025 American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal. The Detroit Tigers have said they will listen to offers for their ace pitcher but were not inclined to trade him. The belief is that stance has changed and it is likely that Skubal is moved at some point in the offseason or at the trade deadline.
• The Kansas City Royals, who were reportedly willing to trade some of their pitchers, addressed their defense with the addition of outfielder Lane Thomas, who agreed to a one-year deal with the club.
• The Milwaukee Brewers also added to their outfield, agreeing to a deal with Akil Baddoo on a one-year deal.
• Pitcher Mark Leiter Jr. and the Athletics have agreed to a one-year deal and the Cleveland Guardians have also agreed to a deal with reliever Colin Holderman on a one-year deal.
• The Boston Red Sox missed out on Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso and the belief is they are still looking to add an impact bat. There are some options for the Red Sox and one of those options may be to bring back third baseman Alex Bregman, who played in Boston in 2025 and opted out of his deal after the season to become a free agent.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...-mean-francisco-lindor-is-coming-to-san-diego

 

[San Diego Padres]

Fernando Tatis Jr. is not being traded

The final day of the MLB Winter Meetings remained quiet for A.J. Preller and the San Diego Padres, at least on the trade and free agent signing front. Preller had his last day of media availability and he made his strongest statement of the meetings while discussing the swirling rumors concerning trading Fernando Tatis Jr.

When asked by MLB Network if Tatis Jr. was untouchable, Preller replied:

“He’s somebody we’re not talking about, however you want to view that. If you want to say that’s untouchable, you can say that.”

Has that stopped teams from asking about Tatis? Preller: “No.”

Here is the interview, in which Preller is as forceful as I have heard him in an interview regarding trading players on the roster. According to other rumors circulated during the meetings, both Jake Cronenworth and Nick Pivetta were discussed in trade talks. If the prevailing opinions are true and the Padres’ needs have to be covered with a very limited payroll, dealing from the current roster might be the only option. Clearing payroll while acquiring talent could also allow the organization to sign a free agent or two.

Padres go to Mexico City again

It was announced by MLB that the Padres will again travel to Mexico City in 2026 for a series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. April 25 and April 26 will be home games for the Dbacks and will again be played in the Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú. In their previous trip to Mexico City, in 2023, the Padres swept the Giants by scores of 16-11 and 6-4, hitting a combined 15 home runs in the stadium that sits above 7,000 feet in elevation. Tickets will go on sale on Jan. 19 via Ticketmaster.

Top Preller lieutenant retires

Logan White, one of A.J. Preller’s most trusted lieutenants and the head of player development, is retiring. He won the West Coast Scout of the Year Award and announced his retirement after the award. He has 40-plus years of time in baseball, 10 years as part of Preller’s scouting group.

Preller updates status of Ethan Salas

In a conversation with Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan, Preller updated the status of Padres catching prospect Ethan Salas.

After being very aggressive with challenging the 19-year-old prospect, the Padres are now being very conservative with managing his work. Salas missed most of the 2025 season after suffering a stress reaction in his lower back in April. He has not played in a game since and was rehabbing at the Arizona complex with the aim to get him into the Fall League or Winter Leagues. Neither of those things happened and it seems we will not see Salas until February. Hopefully, Salas is truly past his injury and can pick up his development with a healthy 2026.

Rule 5 draft results

The Padres made no selections during the major or minor league phases of the Rule 5 draft. The organization lost two players in the Triple-A round. The Chicago Cubs selected third baseman Devin Ortiz in the third round and the Washington Nationals selected RHP Eiker Huizi in the fifth round.

Huizi is currently playing in Winter ball and is 25 years old. Ortiz, 26, played in Double-A San Antonio this past season. None of the Padres top 30 prospects that went unprotected were lost in the draft.

“Sooner rather than later”

Although the Padres made no major moves during the meetings, Preller told Sammy Levitt that there was progress made on several fronts and he hopes to have some things accomplished “sooner rather than later” in regards to adding to the team’s starting rotation depth.

Where are the Padres at in terms of building out their starting rotation? pic.twitter.com/rWh3WTRCGJ

— 97.3 The Fan (@973TheFanSD) December 10, 2025

Albert Pujols will manage Machado and Tatis Jr.

Although Albert Pujols did not win the manager job with the San Diego Padres, he will still be managing both Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. Pujols was officially announced as the manager for the World Baseball Classic Dominican Republic team during the Winter Meetings WBC media day. This will be Machado’s third time representing the Dominican Republic in the WBC. It will be Tatis Jr.’s first time representing his home country in the international tournament. They will be playing on the same roster as Juan Soto for the event, which takes place during MLB Spring Training, March 5 – March 17.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...y/52029/fernando-tatis-jr-is-not-being-traded

 

[San Diego Padres]

Good Morning San Diego: Fernando Tatis Jr. is ‘untouchable,’ but that has not stopped teams from inquiring about his availability

The offseason often brings wild speculation about players and teams. For the San Diego Padres, the player most often brought up in rumor and speculation by fans and media alike is Fernando Tatis Jr. The two-time Platinum Glove winning right fielder is a cornerstone of the San Diego franchise. While some of the Friar Faithful will complain about a lack of production with regard to his power numbers, he is still one of the top players in the game and that was proven not only with his play on defense, but also with his eighth-place finish in the 2025 National League MVP voting. It is understandable that many teams around the league would have interest in Tatis Jr. and it is even more understandable that their respective fanbases would dream on adding a player of his caliber to their roster. Padres President of Baseball Operations and General Manager A.J. Preller all but stated Tatis Jr. is not up for discussion.

Padres News:

• Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune takes a closer look at Padres Manager Craig Stammen and what makes him the right person to lead the club in San Diego.

Baseball News:

• New Baltimore Orioles slugger Pete Alonso was introduced to Birdland, Friday.
• The Texas Rangers added catcher Danny Jansen on a two-year deal and also agreed to a deals with relievers Tyler Alexander and Alexis Diaz.
• Reliever Tyler Rogers, who was a target of the New York Mets, agreed to a deal with the Toronto Blue Jays in yet another offseason acquisition.
• The Blue Jays made another move, agreeing to a trade with the Detroit Tigers for Chase Lee in exchange for Johan Simon.
• Manny Randhawa of MLB.com looks at 13 of the remaining power options available this offseason after Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso agreed to their free agent deals.

• The Kansas City Royals agreed to a five-year contract extension with third baseman Maikel Garcia, which pairs him with Bobby Witt Jr. to lock down the left side of the infield for years to come.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...d-teams-from-inquiring-about-his-availability

 

[San Diego Padres]

A.J. Preller rumor mill at Winter Meetings

A.J.Preller

The San Diego Padres announced the signing of a reliever with no major league experience on the first full day of the MLB Winter Meetings. RHP Daison Acosta, 27, signed a 1-year major league contract that teased Padres fans into thinking this could be the start of an active three days.

So far, the article (quoted above) by Kevin Acee in the San Diego Union-Tribune is the most excitement Padres fans have had. The sources (that were not quoted) were presumably industry insiders or members of the organization who were talking out of turn.

WBC news

During the second day of the three-day meeting, the WBC media day brought the announcement of Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis, Jr. as members of the Dominican Republic team. The manager of the Netherlands team, Andruw Jones, confirmed that Xander Bogaerts will play for the Netherlands, from his native Aruba. Nick Pivetta could be joining the Canadian team for the first time. He was invited in 2023, but opted to concentrate on the MLB season.

Pivetta trade?

There was significant conversation around the meetings regarding the possibility of Pivetta being available for trade. That would seem to make no sense, with starting pitching being the Padres’ biggest need.

Jon Morosi, in a conversation with Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan, stated the perceived logic being that Pivetta could bring back prospects that could then be flipped for controllable, younger pitchers and the move would also clear some payroll.

MLB Network’s @jonmorosi talked with @SammyLev about what AJ Preller might be up to at the Winter Meetings, the idea of the team trading Nick Pivetta, how the Padres should view the Dodgers’ activity, and more. pic.twitter.com/GwN2aNnjBV

— 97.3 The Fan (@973TheFanSD) December 10, 2025

Preller speaks to Padres needs

During his press availability on the second day, Preller was asked about the role of Luis Campusano with the Padres in 2026.

.@SammyLev asked AJ Preller how he views Luis Campusano's potential role with the Padres in 2026: pic.twitter.com/R2Ts4bNI7T

— 97.3 The Fan (@973TheFanSD) December 9, 2025

He also had an extended interview with the MLB Network panel, effectively dodging all specific questions regarding the Padres’ plans and sounding like someone who had laid significant groundwork toward future trades or signings.

Preller continued to emphasize the organization’s desire to keep Mason Miller and Adrian Morejon in the bullpen for the 2026 season. Not only do they not want to risk injury to two pitchers who have had past problems, robbing from their area of greatest strength doesn’t make any sense for an organization trying to build strength and not weaken the team.

For the people floating the idea of trading Miller for starting pitching or prospects, that might bring a player or two, but would not clear payroll and the idea of clearing payroll would presumably be an added goal for this offseason.

Draft Lottery and Scouting Award

The MLB 2026 draft lottery was held on Tuesday, with the top spots of the first round awarded based on a lottery draw between the teams with the worst records in 2025. The rules eliminate those who were awarded last year, if they are repeats. The top six picks went to: 1. Chicago White Sox 2. Tampa Bay Rays 3. Minnesota Twins 4. San Francisco Giants 5. Pittsburgh Pirates 6. Kansas City Royals. The Padres will be pick No. 21 in the first round and will have compensatory picks in 2026 because of the qualifying offers to Dylan Cease and Michael King.

Padres’ director of player personnel, Logan White, won West Coast Scout of the Year. He has been one of A.J. Preller’s top lieutenants since joining the organization 10 years ago. Immediately after winning the award, White announced his retirement after 40-plus years in baseball.

The last day of the meetings is highlighted by the Rule V draft and the last minute deals that get in under the wire.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...993/a-j-preller-rumor-mill-at-winter-meetings

 

[San Diego Padres]

Padres Reacts Survey Results: Fans would like to see reunion between Michael King, San Diego

The San Diego Padres have been part of various trade rumors since the MLB Winter Meetings. There has not been nearly as much conversation or coverage about their free-agent targets, if there are any. San Diego has three spots to fill in the rotation after Dylan Cease and Michael King reached free agency and Yu Darvish had elbow surgery that will cause him to miss the entire 2026 season.

Despite losing payers like Cease, King, Luis Arraez and Ryan O’Hearn to free agency, there is not much room in the budget to make a large free agent acquisition. But with all the trade talk, it is possible the Padres could free up some money and land one of the top free agent pitchers on the market.

The Friar Faithful have spoken, and the message was loud and clear. According to the most recent Padres Reacts Survey, if San Diego had the money to sign one of the top free agent pitchers the fans would like to see King return to the rotation. He was selected over Framber Valdez, Ranger Suarez, Zac Gallen and any other free agent pitcher such as Tatsuya Imai. In fact, no one was even close to King.

The right-hander came to the Padres from New York in the Juan Soto trade that sent the generational talent to the Yankees. King was thought to be the most desired piece of the trade package coming back to San Diego and if that were the case, it would make sense the team would like to bring him back to the rotation. Whether or not it’s financially possible is anyone’s guess, but the chance of him coming back remains.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/gaslamp...to-see-reunion-between-michael-king-san-diego

 

[San Diego Padres]

Good Morning San Diego: Michael King may be close to making decision about his future

A recent Padres Reacts Survey on Gaslamp Ball found the majority of San Diego Padres fans wanted to see Michael King return to the team, if the Padres had the financial means to sign just one of the top free-agent pitchers. Reports started to come out Sunday that King was close to making a decision on a team, but that his suitors appeared to be the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox or Baltimore Orioles. King is originally from New York, and his first organization was the Yankees, so a return to the American League East Division would not be all that surprising, but it will officially end the hope of a return to San Diego for the right-hander.

Padres News:

• The Padres made additions to their coaching staff and added some minor league players to the organization, but the MLB Winter Meetings came and went without any major moves by San Diego president of baseball operations and general manager A.J. Preller. There were plenty of rumors surrounding the Padres and those have continued beyond the winter meetings with a variety of players being discussed.

Baseball News:

• Free agent pitcher Merrill Kelly has agreed to a two-year, $40 million deal to return to the Arizona Diamondbacks. His former teammate Zac Gallen remains a free agent, but the possibility exists they could reunite in the rotation in Arizona.
• Texas Rangers President of Baseball Operations Chris Young came out against reports that the team was shopping its shortstop Corey Seager. Young stated the trade speculation about Seager was, “overblown.”
• The San Franciso Giants seemed to want to lay low this offseason, but have been mentioned in more trade rumors and free agent speculation in recent days. The latest rumor is that the Giants are interested in adding Cody Bellinger to their roster.
• Recent reports mentioned the Los Angeles Dodgers were looking at the possibility of trading starter Tyler Glasnow. However, he was informed by the team that he is “not going anywhere.”

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...-be-close-to-making-decision-about-his-future

 

[San Diego Padres]

Rumors, a coaching staff, but little else

With the MLB Winter Meetings heading up all the headlines for the previous week-plus, there has been very little other San Diego Padres news. The rumors, on the other hand, have been running rampant.

It started with many prominent baseball writers opining that there is no way for the Padres to survive their change of ownership and budget cuts without trading Fernando Tatis Jr. President of baseball operations A.J. Preller did his best to dispel those rumors during his media appearance at the meetings by stating that Tatis was staying put.

The other prevailing rumor was that the Padres would be converting either Mason Miller or Adrian Morejon from the bullpen to the starting rotation. This was at least a credible rumor as Preller had acknowledged it was being considered in previous statements. He stated on Day 1 of the meetings that idea was largely dismissed.

The next rumor floated was that members of the bullpen, Miller and Morejon included, are on the trading block in order to bring back starting pitching.

Preller stated that was not part of the plan, as the bullpen is a strength and he was not interested in diluting that advantage.

The next subject of the rumor mill was Jake Cronenworth, who is considered to be sought after by teams who need a defensively-talented and versatile infielder who is a valuable offensive player.

The Cronenworth rumor seems to occur every offseason since he was signed to an extension that gives him $12 million annually through 2030. Up ‘til now, Cronenworth continues to be a Padre and is considered a leader on the team.

The latest rumors involve Miller, Morejon, Jeremiah Estrada, Nick Pivetta and Ramón Laureano all coveted by the New York Mets, and the Padres are actively in discussions to acquire both pitchers and position players from the Mets’ young prospects and major leaguers (mlbtraderumors).

Coaching decisions

The Padres seem to have a complete coaching staff now, though the announcements have not been made officially. Many of the new coaches have connections to new manager Craig Stammen.

After retaining bench coach Brian Esposito, pitching coach Ruben Niebla, bullpen coach Ben Fritz, first base coach Dave Macias and the two assistant hitting coaches, the Padres named a second bench coach in Randy Knorr. Mike McCoy and Pat O’Sullivan remain as assistant hitting coaches with new hitting coach Steven Souza.

Souza was a special assistant with the Tampa Bay Rays, was a power hitter as a player and seems to reflect the organization shifting its offensive focus to more aggression. Niebla was given a new title as assistant manager as well as pitching coach.

Ryan Goins, hired as an infield coach, was an infield specialist and was on Ron Washington’s staff with the Los Angeles Angels before Washington left due to illness. He was named bench coach after the previous bench coach was named interim manager. Goins was considered a glove-first player as a major leaguer.

Kevin Plawecki has been with the Padres as a catching coach in the minor leagues and will move into that role with the major league team. He was a catcher in both the minor leagues with the Padres and a back up catcher with the Mets and Boston Red Sox. He retired after the 2024 season and assumed a coaching role with the Padres.

Bob Henley, who spent almost his entire baseball career with the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals, has been hired as the new third base coach. He first had the role in 2014-2021 with the Nationals and then went into a player development role. Stammen pitched with the Nationals from 2009-2015 so there is significant familiarity between them.

Minor league contracts

RHP Misael Tamarez, who was a free agent after the 2025 season, re-signed with the organization on Dec. 4. RHP Evan Fitterer also signed a minor league contract as a free agent on Dec. 8.

Robert Suarez signs

Former Padres closer Suarez joined former starter Dylan Cease in signing a free agent contract and earning a big payday. Suarez is committed to the Atlanta Braves for three years and $45 million in a setup/ backup closer role.

Padres to the World Baseball Classic

Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado will be managed by Albert Pujols with the Dominican Republic team. Shortstop Xander Bogaerts will play for the Netherlands team as a native of Aruba. There is a report that Nick Pivetta is considering committing to the Canadian team.

Luis Campusano finishes in winter ball

A.J. Preller stated at the winter meetings that Campusano has finished his time with Tigers de Licey in the Dominican Winter League. He finished with 19 games played and 50 at-bats. His batting line was .200/.293/.340 with a .633 OPS. He had two homers and eight RBI.

Preller has had multiple questions asked regarding Campusano’s future with the team. He will be given another opportunity this spring to show that he belongs on the major league roster. If he is not successful there are no more options for him to be sent to the minors. The options will be to trade him or try to pass him through waivers in order to be optioned.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-diego-padres-news/52051/rumors-a-coaching-staff-but-little-else

 

[San Diego Padres]

Good Morning San Diego: Yu Darvish says he is focused on rehab not his return to the mound

The San Diego Padres have yet to make any significant news this offseason, most of what has been discussed is rumor and speculation. Padres starter Yu Darvish made some news of his own while taking part in the Padres Holiday Tour at Ronald McDonald House in San Diego, Monday. In a news starved baseball town like San Diego, the comments from Darvish were covered extensively in various reports from every media outlet that covers the Padres. The part of Darvish’s comment that seemed to be the most newsworthy was when he was asked about his potential return to the rotation. Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported that Darvish said, “I don’t have that in my mind,” Darvish said. “I’m just trying to just rehab my arm right now. And if I get the urge to come back, if I feel like I can stand on the mound and come back, then I will go for that, but I’ll just leave it there for now.” This comment has caused many of the Friar Faithful to speculate that Darvish may not take the mound again for the Padres.

Padres News:

• Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune continues his postseason review of the San Diego organization. He focused his efforts on shortstop Mason McCoy and how he has been able to contribute at the major league level.

Baseball News:

• Eno Sarris of The Athletic wrote an article to highlight how MLB is going to regulate the use of data and technology in the minor leagues in an effort to get all 30 teams to the same competitive level.
• Former Padres utility infielder Ha-Seong Kim agreed to a one-year, $20 million deal with the Atlanta Braves.
• The Boston Red Sox and Washington Nationals agreed to a trade involving pitching prospects.
• Trade rumors seem to touch every MLB team and the New York Yankees are no different. The Yankees announced they would consider offers on Jazz Chisholm.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...cused-on-rehab-not-on-his-return-to-the-mound

 

[San Diego Padres]

Padres Craig Stammen adds familiar faces to coaching staff

The San Diego Padres finalized manager Craig Stammen’s coaching staff with the hiring of Bob Henley as the third base coach, Kevin Plawecki as the catching coach, and Ryan Goins as the infield coach for the 2026 season.

The majority of the new staff includes coaches who had a previous relationship with Stammen during their time together with the Washington Nationals. All of the recent hires have a passion to teach the sport, which should help support the first-year skipper having a fundamentally sound roster.

Henley will be in the manager’s ear​

Stammen is facing a steep learning curve, so he is banking on his coaching staff to offer valuable advice that proves to be the right move in high-pressure game situations. It is all about building confidence.

The hiring of Henley as the third base coach offers another friendly voice who adds valuable insight for making in-game decisions. He has a long history with the Washington Nationals organization. Henley was drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 1991 MLB Draft, and played 41 games as a catcher in his lone season (1998) as a major leaguer.

Henley managed and coached at various levels in the Nats’ minor league system before being promoted to third base coach in 2014. He is known for having an aggressive base-running style, as Stammen needs assistance in taking advantage of potential run-scoring opportunities.

His knowledge of the game will help Stammen navigate the challenges that come with judging which outfielder’s arm is worth the risk of attempting to take an extra base. Hopefully, it forces the defense to make an error that scores an unearned run.

Stammen taps Goins and Plawecki for key staff roles​

In 2025, Goins was a member of the Los Angeles Angels coaching staff. However, after manager Ron Washington left his position due to a medical emergency, Goins was elevated to interim bench coach.

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This season, his role is to help align the infield defense, as he was an outstanding fielder during his playing days. Goins will emphasize fundamentals, which include proper positioning on relay throws from the outfield and quick transfers to execute double plays perfectly. He is the right hire for this role, as Goins played every infield position during his eight-year major league career.

Plawecki has been working in the Padres organization since he retired as a player in 2024. The former catcher is known for his strong defensive skillset behind the plate. Plawecki has a unique ability to build a bond with the organization’s catching prospects. Managing clubhouse dynamics can be a challenge for most first-year managers. To achieve immediate success, Stammen needs to have a staff member who can communicate with the players.

The primary function of the new coaching hires is to remind players about the importance of playing situational baseball, which was greatly missed last season. It means doing the “little things,” such as bunting runners into scoring position or hitting behind the runner attempting to steal a base. Maintaining a winning culture will gain support from the veterans inside the locker room.

Adversity is a part of a baseball season, as a team mirrors its manager’s reactions when things go bad. It is a delicate balancing act for Stammen, who is hoping to make a smooth transition from being a former ballplayer and front office executive to becoming the field boss.

The Friar Faithful expect the team to contend for a postseason berth in 2026. Unfortunately, Stammen is not on a long leash to learn his trade. But he has a personality that should thrive under the pressure associated with managing a major league ballclub with high expectations.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/gaslamp...stammen-adds-familiar-faces-to-coaching-staff

 

[San Diego Padres]

Good Morning San Diego: Craig Stammen has familiar faces to look to in first season at the helm

San Diego Padres Manager Craig Stammen finalized his coaching staff over recent weeks and seemed to lean on past relationships to do so. Stammen brought in names he is familiar with from his time as a player in MLB, and while his personal experience is beneficial, it is limited to pitching. Stammen’s recent hires add more experience and knowledge of different positions on the field to his staff. With a diverse group of coaches, the thought is Padres players will find one or two they can connect with to make 2026 a successful season for Stammen and San Diego.

Padres News:

• Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune continued his offseason roster review of the Padres with the subject of his article being reliever Alek Jacob. The right-hander had an up and down season in 2025 and Sanders cites his inability to consistently throw strikes as the reason why.

Baseball News:

• The Arizona Diamondbacks have emerged as a new potential suitor for free agent third baseman Alex Bregman.
• The Los Angeles Angels added two arms to their bullpen, coming to terms with Drew Pomeranz and Jordan Romano. Left-hander Pomeranz and right-hander Romano each agreed to one-year deals.
• Reliever Chris Martin and the Texas Rangers agreed to a one-year deal, which means he will return to Arlington for the 2026 season.
• The San Francisco Giants added right-hander Adrian Houser to their rotation on a two-year, $22 million deal and added reliever Jason Foley to their bullpen on a one-year deal.
• The Chicago Cubs and left-handed reliever Caleb Thielbar agreed to a one-year deal, Tuesday.
• The Athletics were in on free agent shortstop Ha-Seong Kim before he decided to return to Atlanta on a one-year deal. The A’s offered Kim a four-year, $48 million deal, which he ultimately declined.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...-faces-to-look-to-in-first-season-at-the-helm

 

[San Diego Padres]

Padres Reacts Survey: Has Yu Darvish made his last start for San Diego?

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.

San Diego Padres pitcher Yu Darvish spoke with the media during a Padres appearance at Ronald McDonald House in San Diego this week and his comments raised some concerns about his future in San Diego and in MLB.

Darvish has been with the Padres since 2021 and spent time with the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers and Texas Rangers before becoming the ace of the staff in San Diego. Darvish has had health issues in each of the past two seasons and will miss all of 2026 after elbow surgery following the Padres’ postseason series loss against the Cubs in the National League Wild Card Series.

Darvish started 30 games in each of his first two seasons in San Diego, but his games started have steadily declined over the past three seasons. He made 24 starts in 2023, 16 starts in 2024 and 15 starts in 2025. His effectiveness when he has been on the mound has been a bit up and down. In that time, Darvish saw his ERA fall as low as 3.10 in 2022 and rise as high as 5.38 in 2025.

It would appear that his age has caught up with his ability not only to remain effective on the mound, but also to remain healthy. Darvish himself seems to have come to that realization as well based on some of his comments earlier this week. Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune quoted Darvish saying, “I don’t feel like I was able to really contribute to the team during that time while I was pitching. In my mind, I was thinking that maybe this could be it for me. So I was kind of, in a way, grinding through the season, trying to get the best out of myself for the team.”

That quote sounds like a 39-year-old pitcher who knows and understands his best years are behind him. Darvish is smart enough, experienced enough and has enough of a repertoire that he could return to the mound for the Padres. The question at this point is “Will he return to the mound?” or “Should he return to the mound?” Only Darvish knows what he will do and he may not even know that yet. There are many more days, weeks and months of rehab before a decision must be made.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/gaslamp...-yu-darvish-made-his-last-start-for-san-diego