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Good Morning San Diego: Padres could look to minor league arms for rotation depth; reunion with Luis Arraez possible

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The San Diego Padres have a current pitching rotation of Michael King, Nick Pivetta, Joe Musgrove, Randy Vasquez and possibly JP Sears, Kyle Hart or Matt Waldron. There is still time for the Padres to add more pitching this offseason and conventional wisdom says they will. How much, is another problem altogether, especially considering the price of a good arm in the current market. If San Diego is able to add another arm in free agency, president of baseball operations and general manager A.J. Preller may not have much more money to spend, which means rotation depth may have to come from within. Cheri Bell of Gaslamp Ball highlights two young arms, Garrett Hawkins and Miguel Mendez, who are in the minor league system as potential depth pieces for manager Craig Stammen in the 2026 season.

Padres News:

  • Free agent infielder Sung-Mun Song was officially introduced as the newest member of the Padres at a video conference with the San Diego media, Tuesday. He said he is happy to be a Padre and that he is willing to fill whatever role is asked of him.
  • Is a reunion between the Padres and Luis Arraez still an option? Thomas Conroy of Gaslamp Ball thinks so and he explains why he thinks a deal between the three-time batting champion and San Diego could happen.
  • Outfielder Tirso Ornelas, who has spent a significant amount of time in the minors with the Padres organization, made his MLB debut in 2025, but could not hold onto a spot on the big-league roster. Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune looks at what Ornelas can do different in 2026.

Baseball News:

  • There will be no reunion for free agent first baseman/outfielder Ryan O’Hearn and the Padres. O’Hearn signed a two-year, $29 million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates, which is Pittsburgh’s first multi-year free agent contract since pitcher Ivan Nova in 2016.
  • Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper is the latest player to announce his intentions to suit up for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, adding another big name to an already loaded roster.
  • Eugenio Suarez is still a free agent and that could mean more teams will emerge as potential suitors if the cost for his services starts to reduce. The most recent team to consider adding Suarez is the Seattle Mariners. Suarez finished 2025 with the Mariners and helped during their playoff run.
  • The Chicago Cubs added another player to their roster, agreeing to a one-year deal with reliever Jacob Webb, Tuesday.
  • The White Sox added another free-agent, their second of the week, with left-hander Sean Newcomb agreeing to a one-year, $4.5 million contract, Tuesday.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...ation-depth-reunion-with-luis-arraez-possible
 
Garrett Hawkins, Miguel Mendez ready to impress

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Garrett Hawkins

There are still some upper-level prospects available to help the San Diego Padres in 2026. President of baseball operations A.J. Preller traded multiple top players from within the team’s minor league system at the trade deadline in 2025, but there are still a handful close to major-league ready to help in the coming season.

Two of those are pitchers Garrett Hawkins and Miguel Mendez. Both were added to the 40-man roster before the Rule 5 Draft for the MLB Winter Meetings. There were many of the Padres minor league prospects eligible for the Rule 5 Draft this year, but these were the two the organization felt were closest to ready (and could be stolen by other teams in the draft).

While either or both could be seen in San Diego this coming season, Hawkins could be ready coming out of Spring Training. Mendez is younger and needs some more work with his command and control. At the least, they are both depth pieces who will be waiting in the minor leagues if the Padres need them.

Garrett Hawkins

Garrett Hawkins was drafted in the ninth round of the 2021 draft by the Padres. He lost most of the season to the pandemic and began his pro career in 2022 with Low-A Lake Elsinore and High-A Fort Wayne where he posted a combined 4.74 ERA in 92 innings pitched. All of his 21 games were starts.

Hawkins experienced forearm tightness after starting the 2023 season with High-A Fort Wayne and underwent Tommy John surgery, which kept him away from pro ball until 2025. Hawkins returned to Fort Wayne with a 1.43 ERA in 32 games and 44 innings pitched as a reliever in order to limit his innings. He was promoted to Double-A San Antonio for the remainder of the season and threw in 13 games for 16 innings and had a 1.69 ERA. His combined ERA of 1.50 ERA in 60 innings pitched gave him a 9-1 record with 10 saves, 80 strikeouts and 23 walks for a .138 average against.

Hawkins previously featured a mid-90s fastball with a gyro slider and curveball. After surgery, the slider became a sweeper and his fastball velocity now reaches upper 90s mph. During the 2025 season, Hawkins had a stretch of almost four months and 34 innings allowing no runs in Fort Wayne. He had a 30.3 percent K-rate in San Antonio after his promotion.

The biggest question that remains is whether the Padres will keep him as a reliever or stretch him out as a starter. Hawkins should come to Spring Training with a chance to make the bullpen if he is brought in as a reliever. That makes the most sense for the short-term as protecting his newly repaired elbow and building him up slowly seems the safest.

At 26, 6-5 and 230 pounds, Hawkins still has time to prove himself in either role and he has shown uncommon control and command for someone coming back from UCL surgery. If his success continues, a bullpen role awaits him when the team needs him. If the Padres make any trades using bullpen arms and a spot opens up, Hawkins could very well be next in line to join the team in 2026.

Dreaming on what he could be as a starter should probably wait until 2027 to explore.

Miguel Mendez

Right-handed starter Miguel Mendez, 23, was an international amateur signed in February of 2021 out of the Dominican Republic. He began his pro career in the Dominican rookie league and made his stateside debut in 2022. Mendez struggled with control over the 2022-2024 seasons with most of his time spent in Low-A Lake Elsinore.

In 2024 he began to improve his control with a 3.86 ERA in 82 innings pitched and 20 starts. In 2025, Mendez took a big leap with a brief showing in Low-A Lake Elsinore that earned him a promotion to High-A Fort Wayne after 3 starts.

In Fort Wayne, Mendez had a 1.32 ERA in 12 games with 70 strikeouts and 24 walks in 61.1 innings pitched. That earned him a promotion to Double-A San Antonio for his last six starts. It appears Mendez ran out of gas toward the end of the season and surrendered 22 hits in 22.1 innings but still had 30 strikeouts.

Overall, he finished 2025 with a 8-7 record and 3.22 ERA in 95 innings pitched with 118 strikeouts to 45 walks across his 21 games started.

Mendez featured a 91 mph fastball when he signed that was 94-95 mph by 2023. He now sits upper 90s and can hit 100 mph with a tight slider and plus-change. At 6-2 inches and 165 pounds, Mendez is wiry and could easily add weight and muscle to his frame as he develops.

He will likely start back in San Antonio to begin the season but could be starting depth after a little more experience in the minors. Hopefully his offseason program will result in added muscle and endurance as he works his way toward a full season as a starter and gets ready for a 2026 debut in the major leagues.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...arrett-hawkins-miguel-mendez-ready-to-impress
 
Good Morning San Diego: Sung-Mun Song could provide break for Manny Machado

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San Diego Padres President of Baseball Operations and General Manager A.J. Preller helped introduce free agent infielder Sung-Mun Song to the San Diego media, Tuesday. Preller was joined by San Diego manager Craig Stammen, who stated he can see Song providing depth around the diamond, adding one of his primary functions will be to serve as a sub for Manny Machado at third base. The thought over the past couple of seasons is that Machado has seen his statistics taper off toward the end of the year because of the amount of games he plays. Stammen envisions Song providing quality defense that will allow Machado to see more DH days in 2026, keeping him fresher throughout the season. Song will have to show he is ready for the role in Spring Training, especially if Preller, Stammen and the Padres are counting on him to handle those duties.

Padres News:

  • Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune takes a look at Will Wagner, who joined the Padres at the 2025 MLB trade deadline. Wagner is an infielder who can play multiple positions so he and newly acquired Sung-Mun Song should compete for a roster spot and playing time throughout Spring Training.

Baseball News:

  • It was reported recently that the New York Mets were showing interest in free agent outfielder Austin Hays and it has now been reported that the New York Yankees have interest in the outfielder as well.
  • Reliever Pete Fairbanks, who was previously with the Tampa Bay Rays, will remain in Florida on the other side of the state after agreeing to a one-year deal with the Miami Marlins.
  • There are still many free agents looking for work and Andrew Simon of MLB.com identifies the top 14 free agents remaining and which teams would be the best fit for each. One of the players on his list is starter Chris Bassitt and Simon thinks the Padres should add him to the rotation.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...un-song-could-provide-break-for-manny-machado
 
Sung-Mun Song introduced to San Diego

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On Dec. 23, A.J. Preller and the San Diego Padres introduced their new infielder from Korea, Sung-Mun Song. After flying to San Diego from Korea on Friday, Dec. 19, Sung signed his new contract and flew back home to Korea.

On Tuesday, the Padres introduced Song via Zoom call and he joined Preller and manager Craig Stammen addressing his future with the team. Various members of San Diego sports media asked questions during the call.

Song made a statement in English and then answered questions. He sees himself as a fill-in to the regular infielders and as a utility player in any role given to him. Song considers his increase in production the past two seasons to weight training as well as nutritional improvements.

He was motivated by seeing his former teammates coming to the US and playing in the big leagues. As a close friend of former Padre, Ha-Seong Kim, Song always wanted to make the jump but didn’t think he had the ability until he was able to improve his game. Preller added that he also sees a change in Song’s hitting technique and is now able to pull the baseball to add to his power.

Manager Craig Stammen sees Song as a versatile player who can play all over the field, including outfield. One of his main roles being relieving Manny Machado at third base to allow him to DH or just get off his feet.

Song explained that his relationship with Ha-Seong Kim influenced his decision to sign with the Padres as Kim spoke highly of his former teammates, the staff and how beautiful the city is as well as telling Song that he should challenge himself by reaching for the major leagues.

Song spoke multiple times with the Padres over the last several years and those talks included encouraging him to play multiple positions to ready himself for a chance with MLB. He also referred to his long-time admiration for Manny Machado and his desire to meet and play with him.

Song was voted KBO Player of the Year by the players association in Korea. He spoke about making an increased effort over the past few years to improve as a player and he thinks the other players recognized that effort.

Song’s walk-up song is a Korean hip-hop title by Zico titled Okey Dokey. He would like to continue to use that as his walk-up song in San Diego.

Korean journalists also participated in the call and there was a discussion of whether Song would be available to play for Korea in the World Baseball Classic. Preller stated the Padres support for the WBC and players wanting to play for their country. They will discuss it further over the next few weeks.

Journalist Jeeho Yoo asked Stammen about using Song in the outfield. Stammen sees it as a project in Spring Training and they will see how it plays out.

Song, 29, is considered a late bloomer as a possible MLB player. It should be noted that he lost almost two years of his baseball career while fulfilling his military requirement in South Korea. Although primarily signed as a utility option for the Padres, it is possible that he could play almost every day. Relieving the regular starters, coming in as a defensive replacement late in games and serving as a DH are all roles he could fill if all goes well for the Padres and Song.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-diego-padres-news/52268/sung-mun-song-introduced-to-san-diego
 
Good Morning San Diego: Padres quiet for a day, but should make noise before 2026

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The offseason has been relatively slow for the San Diego Padres. They re-signed pitcher Michael King and signed free agent Sung-Mun Song, but there has been little else to speak of since the 2025 season ended against the Chicago Cubs in the Windy City. If the months since have been slow for San Diego, the Christmas holiday brought the offseason to a screeching halt. There was no activity to speak of from the Padres despite hopes from some of the Friar Faithful that they might wake to a gift of a signing, but that was not to be. Will San Diego make a significant trade or signing before 2026? That remains to be seen, but it may be too much to ask with just five days left before the ball drops and the calendar turns to January.

Baseball News:

  • If you are a fan of the longball, Shanthi Sepe-Chepuru of MLB.com has provided your offseason fix with a list of the longest home runs hit by each team in MLB. Manny Machado took the title for the Padres with a 452-foot home run edging out Gavin Sheets who hit a 451-foot home run in the same game.
  • It was reported on Christmas Day that the Athletics and outfielder Tyler Soderstrom agreed to a seven-year, $86 million dollar extension. The deal was not yet confirmed by the team but was reported by multiple outlets.
  • Some minor league teams have announced alternate identities for their clubs and Benjamin Hill of MLB.com provided a list with images of the names that have been announced so far.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...t-for-a-day-but-should-make-noise-before-2026
 
Padres should look to veteran Chris Bassitt to address pitching needs

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It is no secret the San Diego Padres need to add to their starting rotation.

Michael King was signed to a three-year, $75 million contract and has been the biggest free agent splash of the offseason for San Diego. He joins starters Nick Pivetta and Joe Musgrove, who is returning after missing the entire 2025 season recovering from elbow surgery, but the final two spots in the five-man rotation are anything but settled.

Those two spots could turn into three if the rumors about a potential trade of Pivetta comes to fruition at some point this offseason. Reports after the MLB Winter Meetings stated the Padres and the New York Mets had discussions involving several players with Pivetta being highlighted as part of a “blockbuster” deal, but those conversations have seemingly cooled. Of course, major league-ready pitching was mentioned as a possible return for San Diego, but those pitchers would have limited experience in the big leagues or no experience at all at the MLB level.

The Padres could address their pitching needs on the trade market, as San Diego has been linked to names like MacKenzie Gore of the Washington Nationals and Edward Cabrera of the Miami Marlins, but no trade is imminent. However, there are quite a few free agent pitchers available.

If the Padres are willing to spend to address their pitching needs but want to stay away from the top of the market with names like Framber Valdez, Ranger Suarez or Tatsuya Imai, they should consider free agent starter Chris Bassitt. The right-hander spent the 2025 season with the Blue Jays and finished 11-9 with a 3.96 ERA. He pitched 170.1 innings and compiled 166 strikeouts. Perhaps most important he started 31 games. That type of production is what the Padres need if they are going to replace Cease.

Bassitt presents as the type of pitcher that we have come to enjoy in San Diego. He is a hardnosed, intense pitcher who has a different demeanor when he takes his turn on the mound each week. He carries himself much like King, Pivetta, Musgrove and Jake Peavy before all of them. Adding another fiery arm to the rotation with the durability and success of Bassitt is something the Padres should do as soon as possible.

Bassitt has the experience of an 11-year career and while the majority of that was spent pitching in the American League, he has shown he can pitch in the National League as well as a member of the Mets in 2022. At 36 years old, Bassitt is surely looking to pitch for a contender and might not mind a short-term deal, which makes him a fit in San Diego.

Jim Bowden of The Athletic predicted Bassitt will receive a two-year, $45 million contract and listed the Padres as a potential fit in a November article. To add credibility to his predictions, Bowden had King receiving a three-year, $75 million contract and listed the Padres as potential suitors. Could San Diego and Bassitt make Bowden right again? Maybe not at $45 million but as we get closer to January that number could come down and the Padres might be able to lengthen their rotation with another free agent signing.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/gaslamp...teran-chris-bassitt-to-address-pitching-needs
 
Padres add infielder, multiple minor league contracts

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Yuki Matsui to pitch in WBC for Japan

With the signing of former KBO Gold Glove infielder Sung-Mun Song, the San Diego Padres added depth to their roster. Based on the experience with former Padre Ha-Seong Kim, the organization and Padres fans should not expect Song to be a starter in 2026.

Kim took a full season to fully adjust to the jump from KBO to MLB. Although the Asian leagues players and the MLB are closer together skill-wise than they used to be, there is still a gap in pitch velocity as well as movement on off-speed pitches. The offensive players have historically needed an adjustment period.

If Song is able to adjust quickly, we could see a more successful first season but keeping expectations lower would be wise. Adjusting to increased velocity as well as movement on off-speed pitches should be monitored closely as the early season progresses.

Song’s ability to spell third baseman Manny Machado and second baseman Jake Cronenworth will be mostly depend on the success of his at-bats. Manager Craig Stammen mentioned that the Padres could also use Song in the outfield. This would be explored in Spring Training, as was the case with Padres current center fielder Jackson Merrill.

While giving Padres fans early holiday gifts with signing starter Michael King and infielder Song, the Padres also added more minor league signees to add depth to the system.

José Miranda

Puerto Rican 3B/1B José Miranda, 27, was signed on Dec. 19 to a minor league contract with an invite to Spring Training. Miranda spent all of his career in the Minnesota Twins organization. He last played for the Twins in 2025 but was optioned to Triple-A and removed from their 40-man roster. He elected free agency in November. He played 121 games for the Twins in 2024 with a .284 batting average and .763 OPS. He finished that season with nine homers and 49 RBI.

Sodrac Franco

RHP Franco, 25, signed a minor league deal with the Padres while pitching for the Jaguares de Nayarit of the Mexican Winter League. He possesses a fastball up to 100 m.p.h. and in 18 games and 23.2 innings pitching in winter ball, he has a 0.76 ERA with a 3-0 record, 14 strikeouts, two walks and seven saves.

DJ Snelton

LHP Snelton, 33, signed a minor league contract with the Padres. Nick Sanzeri (on X) shared a video with stats on Snelton while reporting his signing on Dec. 20.

DJ Snelten, free agent
6’7, 260lbs
Fastball: 97-99mph, t100-102
Slider: 84-88
Changeup: 82-85

Reach out for additional information. pic.twitter.com/dKOZJWi7rK

— Nick Sanzeri (@SanzeriBaseball) December 20, 2025

Andrew Dalquist

RHP Dalquist, 25, was reportedly signed to a minor league contract by the Padres. He has been in Double-A Birmingham the past two seasons, playing in the Chicago White Sox organization. He had a 3.20 ERA in 2025 in 56.1 innings pitched with 50 strikeouts and 40 walks. Poor command seems to be a consistent issue for Dalquist.

Carlos Medina

RHP Medina, 21, is an international amateur sign out of Mexico for a $150,000 bonus. He sits 91-95 m.p.h. on his fastball with a slider and changeup. He could be converted to a starter and has been pitching for Jaguares de Nayarit in Mexico. Pitching as a reliever, Medina has thrown 26.1 innings in 25 games with a 3-0 record and 2.73 ERA. He has 24 strikeouts to nine walks.



Former Padres 1B/DH Ryan O’Hearn signed a two-year, $30 million deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Not surprising that the Padres couldn’t or wouldn’t match that offer.

LHP Yuki Matsui has committed to pitch for Japan in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...add-infielder-multiple-minor-league-contracts
 
Good Morning San Diego: Minor league moves dominate Padres’ offseason activity

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The San Diego Padres have been making moves, but the majority of the moves this offseason have come at the minor league level with a few invitations to Spring Training for specific signees. San Diego has made two significant additions to its roster with one addition, Michael King, looking more like a retention. The other significant signing involved an infielder from the KBO, Sung-Mun Song, and he is unproven at the MLB level and could need time to adjust to the speed and movement of pitches in MLB. The Padres still need to add their starting rotation and while trade speculation has swirled around San Diego, additions to the pitching staff may need to come from short-term additions like the possibility of adding 36-year-old Chris Basitt. Time will tell how San Diego addresses its needs, but it is inevitable that the needs are addressed.

Baseball News:

  • The Chicago Cubs continued to make additions to bolster their bullpen. According to reports, the Cubs agreed to a deal with reliever Hunter Harvey, but the move has not been officially announced by the team and is pending a physical.
  • The Cincinnati Reds and the Miami Marlins agreed to swap outfielders with the Reds acquiring Dane Myers in exchange for Ethan O’Donnell.
  • Infielder Yoan Moncado is drawing interest from several teams. He played with the Los Angeles Angels during the 2025 season and they are reportedly one of the teams interested in adding Moncada.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...ague-moves-dominate-padres-offseason-activity
 
Padres need to take flyer on Jhonkensy Noel

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The San Diego Padres need to replenish their minor league system after President of Baseball Operations and General Manager A.J. Preller dealt away the depth at last summer’s trade deadline.

Jhonkensy Noel presents a unique low-cost, high-upside minor league signing option. He was recently designated for assignment by the Cleveland Guardians due to his struggles at the plate and high strikeout rate. Why not take a flyer on the former power-hitting prospect?

Guardians cut their losses​


What happened that caused the Guardians to discard him this winter? Noel struggled to make consistent contact, as he batted .162 with six home runs and struck out 52 times in 148 at-bats last season.

A far cry from the production he provided the Guardians in 2024. Noel hit .218 with 13 home runs and struck out 63 times in 179 at-bats. His biggest hit came in the postseason. It was a pivotal game-tying, two-run home run against the New York Yankees in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series.

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A promising start to a major league career came to a halt, as his plate production fell apart in 2025. Yes, Noel continued to hit the ball hard, but he kept swinging at pitches outside the strike zone. His strikeout-to-walk ratio was 13-1 last season.

The patience was wearing thin for Noel to develop into a top home run hitter. The Guardians felt it was time to part ways.

Friars need a right-handed DH​


The designated hitter position remains unsettled, as Gavin Sheets is in the mix from the left side. Noel could become the right-handed option of a possible platoon in 2026. Why not? He is young and a tough out for left-handed pitching. Plus, Noel can launch some balls into the seats at Petco Park.

He profiles as more of a right-handed DH than a corner outfielder. The Padres need more of an athletic defender who can defend from the foul line to center field at Petco Park. Noel has trouble tracking balls hit into the gaps.

Ideally, he should begin the 2026 campaign with the Padres Triple-A affiliate in El Paso, Texas. It will be there where Noel can work on having better plate discipline. If Noel can overcome his struggles, it will help to lower his high career strikeout rate (32.8%).

To make this scenario come to fruition, the Friars will have to wait for him to clear waivers, then sign Noel to a minor league contract. Upon claiming or trading for him, he must be added to the 40-man roster immediately. Suddenly, your feel-good reclamation project vanishes away. Now, Noel must produce at the plate or have a short stay in San Diego.

The Padres finished 90-72 in 2025 and lost to the Chicago Cubs in the National League Wild Card Series. This offseason, they were looking to add more pop to the lineup.

It is hard to believe the Friars have gone this far without adding a proven right-handed bat to the roster. Noel will cost them next to nothing to see what value he offers to the team.

He is a right-handed hitter with raw power, and developing him into his full potential would be a coup for the Padres. You achieve this without compromising your tight salary constraints. Thus, it is worth taking a flyer on Noel.

The holiday season may be ending, but the Padres could add Big Christmas before Spring Training.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/gaslamp...4/padres-need-to-take-flyer-on-jhonkensy-noel
 
Good Morning San Diego: Padres one of three teams linked to Kazuma Okamoto; Potential minor league addition could impact major league roster

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Kazuma Okamoto is the next position player from Japan expected to sign with an MLB team and there are some prognosticators who believe he will be a better major league player than Masataka Murakami who recently signed a two-year, $34 million deal with the Chicago White Sox. Okamoto has to sign a deal prior to the Jan. 4 deadline, or he returns to his team in Japan.

It was reported Sunday that three teams are thought to be in the running for the right-handed hitting slugger. The San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Angels and Pittsburgh Pirates are listed as the final candidates for Okamoto’s services. He would fill a need for the Padres in that he can play first base or serve as a designated hitter. Okamoto also has experience at third base and could spell Manny Machado when he needs a day off, giving San Diego multiple options in those situations after the team signed Korean infielder Sung-Mun Song earlier this offseason.

It is unknown which way Okamoto is leaning and the majority of reporting about that is speculation. All the Padres, Angels, Pirates or any other MLB team can do is wait for word from Okamoto himself or the team that signs him.

Padres News:

  • San Diego has been adding players at the minor league level throughout the offseason and Thomas Conroy of Gaslamp Ball believes one more minor league addition could eventually pay dividends at the major league level.
  • MLB.com identified a bounce back candidate for the 2026 season from each team and they settled on Jackson Merrill from the Padres. He had a difficult year because of injuries but returned to his 2024 form as the season ended. San Diego is looking for more of the same in 2026.

Baseball News:


Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...gue-addition-could-impact-major-league-roster
 
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