RSS Padres Team Notes

Bradgley Rodriquez could be next Padres prospect to bullpen mainstay

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The San Diego Padres’ minor league system has done a terrific job of developing top bullpen prospects. Last season, David Morgan provided outstanding appearances as a bridge-gap reliever. They may have another quality arm on the horizon, as Bradgley Rodriquez could have a meaningful role in the 2026 bullpen.

Rodriquez’s rise to greatness​


The Padres signed the young Venezuelan as an international amateur free agent in 2021. Rodriguez quickly rose through the Friars’ minor league system, enjoying a strong 2025 season by playing at three different levels, including time on the major league roster.

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He climbed the ranks by recording a 3.14 ERA in 15 appearances at Triple-A El Paso. In his brief time in the big leagues, Rodriguez posted a 1.17 ERA in seven appearances with the Padres.

His pitching arsenal features an elite fastball that can reach the upper 90s, as well as a filthy changeup and slider. It is a repertoire that has plenty of upside, as Rodriguez’s secondary pitches set up the fastball to secure outs. Some scouts viewed his changeup as a plus-plus offering, a primary contributor behind his elite swing-and-miss rate (10.9 Ks per 9 IP). He struck out 47 batters in 44.1 innings pitched last season.

2026 could be a breakout season​


Spring Training will dictate where Rodriguez begins the 2026 season. The odds are good for him to start in Triple-A, but if he has a strong Cactus League appearance, Rodriguez could find himself on the Padres’ Opening Day roster.

It will be all about consistently throwing strikes and challenging major league hitters. Rodriguez cannot afford to pitch tentatively, as missed locations will likely result in extra-base hits. Regardless of his performance, his career trajectory remains intact; the right-hander is destined for a prominent bullpen role in 2026.

The Friar Faithful will love his ability to attack the strike zone, as his continued success will put him on everyone’s radar.
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Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/gaslamp...d-be-next-padres-prospect-to-bullpen-mainstay
 
Good Morning San Diego: Fans continue their support of the Padres with season ticket sellout

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Despite having a new manager and an incomplete roster, the Friar Faithful are ready to pack Petco Park. The club announced Wednesday that it has sold all its season tickets for the 2026 season. Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune believes the ticket sales show just how bad fans in San Diego want a World Series Championship. There is still a lot of time left this offseason and there are many free agents who remain unsigned. The fans have done their part and have committed their time and money to support the Padres. Now it’s up to president of baseball operations and general manager A.J. Preller to make additions to the roster that will put them in position to be playing well into October.

Padres News:

  • Reliever Yuki Matsui is the focus of the roster review by Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune. The left-hander had some ups and downs in 2025 but should maintain a prominent role in the bullpen next season.
  • Dennis Lin of The Athletic compiled a list of five questions that still need to be answered this offseason. They are questions that have been asked throughout the fanbase and possibly even within the walls of Petco Park. The hope is that all five will be answered by word or action by the time the team opens Spring Training.

Baseball News:

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Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...port-of-the-padres-with-season-ticket-sellout
 
Padres Reacts Survey Results: Friar Faithful say Joe Musgrove needs to have good season to keep Padres in contention

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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 starter Joe Musgrove will return to the mound for the first time since 2024 when the Padres open their 2026 season with a three-game series against the Detroit Tigers at Petco Park in March. The San Diego native missed all last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Although he remained with the team and was a presence in the clubhouse there was no substitute for in-game reps facing live batters at the MLB level and because of that expectations for Musgrove for the coming year are tempered.

He is not just trying to bounce back from a missed season; Musgrove is also trying to improve on results from 2023 and 2024. He made 17 starts and 19 starts in back-to-back seasons. Despite throwing less than 100 innings in 2023 and 2024 there are positive stats from those seasons. Musgrove finished 10-3 in 2023 and finished with 11 quality starts and a 3.05 ERA. In 2024 he finished 6-5 with 10 quality starts and a 3.88 ERA.

The San Diego rotation enters a new season missing Dylan Cease, who left via free agency and signed with the Toronto Blue Jays. Despite a poor win/loss record, Cease gobbled up innings and piled up strikeouts last year. He threw 168 innings and recorded 215 strikeouts for the Padres in 2025. Nick Pivetta was the only pitcher in the San Diego rotation to throw more innings with 181.2 innings pitched with 190 strikeouts and the next closest to Cease was Randy Vasquez 133.2 innings pitched with 78 strikeouts.

Gaslamp Ball asked the Friar Faithful if Musgrove or Jackson Merrill, who had a down year due to multiple injuries, needed to have the better season foe the Padres to be successful and just over half of those who voted believe that Musgrove needs to have the better season.

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Of course, Musgrove and Merrill will both have to have success if the Padres are going to compete in the National League West and in the NL playoff race. After looking at the decreased numbers for Musgrove in 2023 and 2024 and considering the missed season in 2025, a full season from the right-hander, like 2021 and 2022 when he threw 181.1 and 181 innings respectively, could make a greater impact and keep San Diego in contention.
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Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/gaslamp...have-good-season-to-keep-padres-in-contention
 
Padres start the new year right

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With the start of Spring Training only five weeks away, the San Diego Padres president of baseball operations and general manager A.J. Preller continued his unbroken streak of not going to arbitration with any Padres player.

A total of seven players were eligible for arbitration for the 2026 season. C/DH Luis Campusano reached an agreement for $900,000 in November. On deadline day (Jan. 8), Preller reached agreements with the other six. All except for reliever Jason Adam and starter JP Sears received more than the projected amount that was estimated by FanGraphs. Following is the projection and actual contract amount for each player. All are one-year contracts.

Player – Projection – Contract amount

Jason Adam – $6.8 million – $6.675 million

Gavin Sheets – $4.3 million – $4.5 million

Mason Miller – $3.4 million – $4 million

Adrian Morejon – $3.6 million – $3.9 million

Freddy Fermin – $1.8 million – $2.1 million

JP Sears – $3.5 million – $2.75 million

This is the 14th straight year that the Padres have reached agreements with their arbitration eligible players without going to an arbitration hearing. That covers Preller’s entire tenure with the team.

Randy Jones Celebration of Life

Join us in honoring Cy Young Award winner and Padres alumnus Randy Jones with a Celebration of Life ceremony at Petco Park on Saturday, January 24 at 11:00 a.m. PT.

Admission is free with fans required to claim tickets in advance: https://t.co/O09ub4LjtL pic.twitter.com/9zDPHpMJjm

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) January 9, 2026
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The Padres announced that they will hold a Celebration of Life for Padres Hall of Fame pitcher Randy Jones on Jan. 24 at Petco Park. The Padres legend passed away Nov. 18 at the age of 75. He had a long history of battling throat cancer, which he attributed to his use of chewing tobacco and cigar smoking.

The celebration will be free but requires a ticket and can be obtained by following the link above.

Prospect update

Baseball America updated its list of the Padres top 30 prospects and also named a breakout hitter of 2026 from the list of prospects. Catcher Ethan Salas continues to head the list of top prospects with left-handed starters Kruz Schoolcraft and Kash Mayfield in second and third, respectively.

Shortstop Jorge Quintana, 18, comes in as the fifth top prospect and is also named as the breakout hitter for 2026. Quintana was obtained at the trade deadline in 2025. He came from the Milwaukee Brewers, along with pitcher Nestor Cortes, in exchange for OF Brandon Lockridge.

Quintana was part of the Brewers 2024 international signing class and got a $1.7 million bonus. A switch-hitter, the infielder has lots of projection remaining in his 6-2 frame and is believed to have significant offensive upside with enough defensive skill to remain at shortstop. Although not a replacement for Leo De Vries, Quintana warrants a close follow as he plays his first full season in the Padres minor league system.

Baseball America noted his 104.1 m.p.h. average exit velocity as being in the 90th percentile among teenagers in the system with his top velocity of 110.3 m.p.h. as being in the top five. He had an 18 percent whiff rate in the zone and a 72 percent contact rate in his first professional season (mostly in the Arizona Complex League).

Season tickets sold out

The Padres sold out season tickets for the fourth consecutive season after increasing their amount of available tickets. Although the exact amount of season tickets sold was not announced, the average price went up seven percent this season and more were sold than last year. That should significantly increase ticket revenue for a team that finished second in overall attendance last year (the Los Angeles Dodgers were first).

Nine more teams end their RSN contract

Fan Duel Sports Network or Main Street Sports Group – formerly the Diamond Sports Network – missed payments for several of their contracted MLB teams over the past few months and the nine teams under contract severed those contracts this week. The Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Angels, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays all withdrew due to breach of contract. All contracts can be renegotiated with the same network or another network but joining the teams currently carried by MLB Media is also a possibility. MLB currently carries games for seven MLB teams (Padres, Washington Nationals, Cleveland Guardians, Arizona Diamondbacks, Seattle Mariners, Colorado Rockies, Minnesota Twins) and could become the media outlet for up to sixteen MLB teams if there is no media contract for those teams carried by Fan Duel.

MLB sold MLB.TV to ESPN for exclusive rights to carry games for the seven teams currently being shown via their media outlet. That deal will be for three years, through 2028, when all current broadcast network contracts are due to expire and MLB will be making a long-term decision about broadcast rights at that time.

Sunday Night games

NBC announced its Sunday Night Baseball schedule for the 2026 season. MLB severed the previous contract with ESPN and signed a new deal with NBC through the 2028 season. Starting this year, NBC will broadcast all their Sunday night games via the NBC broadcast channel and Peacock or NBCSN and Peacock.

The first game debuts on March 29 at 4 p.m. PST with Cleveland versus Seattle.

The San Diego Padres will be featured on May 17 versus the Seattle Mariners and broadcast on Peacock/NBCSN.

Their next game will be against the Dodgers on July 5 on NBC/Peacock.

They will play Aug. 9 versus the Houston Astros on NBC/Peacock.

The last game will be Sept. 13 versus San Francisco on Peacock/NBCSN.

The Mariners, Dodgers and Giants games will all be road games for the Padres.
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Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...mentary/52526/padres-start-the-new-year-right
 
Man, gotta say the Padres are in an interesting spot heading into 2026. Musgrove coming back from TJ is the biggest storyline here - the fans voted right on that one. You NEED your homegrown ace to eat innings if you're gonna compete in that division. Cease leaving hurts, no doubt about it, but if Musgrove can get back to that 180+ innings workload like he had in 2021-2022, that changes everything for this rotation.

Also pretty wild that Preller has gone 14 straight years without an arbitration hearing. Say what you want about the guy but he clearly knows how to handle his players and keep everyone happy. Getting those six deals done on deadline day shows the front office isn't messing around.

That Bradgley Rodriguez kid sounds legit too - upper 90s heat with a plus-plus changeup? Sign me up. The Padres have been sneaky good at developing bullpen arms and if this guy can throw strikes consistently, he could be a real weapon.

The season ticket sellout is impressive given they lost their manager and have roster holes to fill. San Diego fans are hungry for a championship and they're putting their money where their mouth is. Now Preller needs to make some moves to reward that loyalty.

Gotta pour one out for Randy Jones too. Absolute legend. That celebration of life at Petco should be a special day for the franchise.

What do you guys think - is the rotation deep enough without adding another arm, or does Preller need to make a trade?
 
Good Morning San Diego: Expectations are high for Joe Musgrove; Padres to hold celebration of life for Randy Jones

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The San Diego Padres have needs on their roster and reportedly very little money with which to address those needs before the start of the 2026 season. Prospect capital has been depleted due to deadline trades over the past couple seasons, so the question asked by AJ Cassavell of Padres.com is how does president of baseball operations and general manager A.J. Preller address those needs? Cassavell discusses the possibility of trading from the depth of the San Diego bullpen. Preller has stated several times this offseason he is hesitant to do so for fear that it would weaken the team’s biggest strength. That does not mean it wont happen, it just means that if it does, Preller and the Padres value what they get in return.

Padres News:

  • A recent Padres Reacts Survey on Gaslamp Ball asked readers if Joe Musgrove or Jackson Merrill needed to have a better performance in 2026 for the team to be successful. Musgrove slightly edged Merrill in the eyes of the Friar Faithful, but it will be critical that both players return to form for San Diego to remain competitive in the National League.
  • Padres legendary pitcher Randy Jones died in November and the team has announced it will hold a celebration of life for the former Cy Young Award winner. Much like Padres FanFest, tickets to the event are free, but they will need to be claimed ahead of time.
  • One possible trade candidate that could come from the San Diego bullpen is left-hander Wandy Peralta. Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune looks at Peralta’s expected role in 2026 as the focus of his ongoing Padres roster review.
  • David Schoenfield of ESPN.com looks at some lesser discussed free agents and what teams would be the best fit for their services. He thinks Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Luis Arraez, Marcell Ozuna and Paul Goldschmidt are all possible additions to address needs on the Padres’ roster.

Baseball News:

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Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...s-to-hold-celebration-of-life-for-randy-jones
 
Padres pitching depth might be better than you think

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JP Sears

Since the start of the offseason, all San Diego Padres fans and many sports journalists have discussed the need for starting pitching for the 2026 season. It is no secret that the team lost Dylan Cease for the 2026 season to the Toronto Blue Jays on a seven-year, $210 million contract. Retaining Michael King on a three-year, $75 million deal at least guarantees his contribution for this coming season. Both he and breakout starter Nick Pivetta have player options for 2027 so their services are not guaranteed beyond this season. But baseball is not guaranteed beyond this season, with the CBA up for renegotiation, so that is not necessarily a big risk.

If we assume the starters are currently King, Pivetta, the returning Joe Musgrove, Randy Vasquez and a battle for the last spot, then who gets that last rotation spot?

Returning from a two-week break over the holidays, morning show host Ben Higgins of Ben & Woods on 97.3 The Fan recounted on his recent Monday morning (Dec. 7) broadcast a conversation he had with Padres pitching coach Ruben Niebla after the King press conference announcing his contract. Although not recorded as an interview and not on video, Higgins reported that Niebla gave a rundown on current Padres pitchers that he knows will be coming to Spring Training as part of the mix for jobs in 2026.

Starting options

Niebla had interesting comments regarding pitchers that Padres fans are basically ignoring as part of the 2026 season. He sees both Vasquez and lefty JP Sears as potential breakout players for the new year. As reported by Higgins, Vasquez had a breakthrough late in the 2025 season and Niebla expects him to take a step forward this season.

Regarding Vasquez, Niebla reflected on the pitcher not really being ready in Spring Training last year. He didn’t have his stuff refined, wasn’t in the best of shape and did not look great to start the season. As he worked his way through the season, his velocity and effectiveness improved, and he was at his best at the end of the year. Niebla has been in contact with Vasquez in the Dominican Republic this offseason and states he has put in the work, and they believe his pitches, and he, are ready to take a step forward.

Regarding Sears, Niebla called him a “dawg” with the best attitude and work ethic and is improving his cutter, which Niebla saw as an effective pitch for him and the reason he went to the minors after the trade. They believe that he can be the left-handed starter the rotation needs going into 2026. Sears has below average velocity on his fastball but with an improved cutter and good health he could definitely qualify as a No. 5 starter and eat innings for the Padres.

There is no doubt that more starters will be needed for the 2027 season but if Niebla is right about Vasquez and Sears, the situation is not as dire as many believe.

Bullpen strength

Regarding Triston McKenzie, who signed a minor league deal with the Padres, Niebla was not blowing smoke. Higgins stated that Niebla felt McKenzie has work to do and is not ready for major league hitters. Higgins also reported that Niebla is very excited about Ty Adcock, a relief pitcher signed to the major league roster.

There is currently no doubt that the bullpen is stocked with talent. They have talent to spare with the depth among the relievers. With five starters and eight relievers on most major league rosters, many teams don’t have multiple late-inning relievers who can also serve as closers or middle relievers, or even a long-man at times.

The Padres have utilized many of their bullpen arms among multiple roles while maintaining their effectiveness. The 40-man roster has Jeremiah Estrada, Mason Miller, Adrian Morejon, David Morgan and Bradgley Rodriguez all capable of filling late inning or high leverage situations. That does not include the returning Jason Adam, who will likely be ready early in the season to join the bullpen. Those six leave two spots for Yuki Matsui and Wandy Peralta, who are left-handed and give the bullpen the different look that a good bullpen needs.

That leaves newly signed Daison Acosta and Ty Adcock as depth and that is without considering Kyle Hart or Bryan Hoeing as part of the relief corp. The organization also has Ron Marinaccio, Alek Jacob and Garrett Hawkins available in the minors and on the roster.

Right-handed reliever/starter Jhonny Brito is continuing his rehabilitation from UCL surgery and, according to Niebla’s update with Higgins, will be ready around June to come back to the team. He began his career as a starter but was a reliever in his previous appearances with the Padres. A return to starting would probably be a gradual transition and could include limiting work and innings in the bullpen.

Trade market

There has been speculation that the president of baseball operations, A.J. Preller could use his bullpen strength as trade bait to acquire players to fill the team’s holes at DH/1B or to acquire another starter. With only five weeks left before the start of Spring Training, the organization will be competing with the other teams in MLB to fill its needs before the season begins.

There are many quality players still on the market as free agents and multiple trades that will likely occur in the coming weeks. We will have an answer relatively soon if Preller intends to use any of the bullpen pitchers to acquire other talent.
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Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...pitching-depth-might-be-better-than-you-think
 
What are Padres’ plans for JP Sears?

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It seems like every Major League Baseball club is seeking starting pitching depth for the coming 2026 season. The San Diego Padres are taking a closer look at left-handed starting pitcher JP Sears in Peoria this spring, with the hope he rebounds from a rough start with the team.

The trade and free agent market offer slim pickings​


The Padres’ roster is not perfect, as they need a first baseman, a right-handed designated hitter, and another bullpen arm. The front office’s primary objective is to acquire more starting pitching depth before Spring Training begins. However, finding quality options has been hard this offseason.

Now, the Friars must assess all of their internal options before venturing back on the open market. Right now, the starting rotation has three starters, with Joe Musgrove returning at some point in the 2026 season. Major League clubs need rotation depth, as injuries necessitate the use of more than five starters in a given season.

The road to San Diego has been bumpy​


The Seattle Mariners selected Sears in the 2017 MLB Draft. He made his major league debut with the New York Yankees in 2022. Later in the same season, he was sent to the Athletics in a trade-deadline deal.

Following a trade deadline deal with the Athletics, he struggled in five starts with the Friars. Sears allowed 15 runs on 31 hits in 24.2 innings pitched. The results were not pretty for the lefthander, as he posted the highest ERA (5.47) of his four-year major league career.

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His pitching repertoire features a four-seam fastball, a sweeper, and a changeup, as Sears is effective when changing speeds (92-to-79 mph) to keep hitters off-balance in the batter’s box. However, he runs into trouble when they extend at-bats because of the inability to record strike three. Sears has a poor strikeout rate (19.7%) but does show good command during most pitching outings. His walk rate (6.8%) is among the lowest in the majors.

Sears faces stiff competition for an Opening Day roster spot. He joins a mix of prospects and veterans battling for the fifth starter position. The winner must provide length and avoid taxing the bullpen. Sears’ experience gives him an edge in securing a rotation spot. His performance in Cactus League games will determine if he contributes as a member of the starting rotation or in the bullpen.

In today’s baseball, acquiring starting pitching always comes first for baseball franchises. However, it does not mean overpaying for a free agent or mortgaging the future for anything less than a No. 1 starter.

With a career 4.53 ERA in 102 starts, the Padres hope Sears can become an effective starter under the tutelage of pitching coach Ruben Niebla. He must be able to navigate through the challenge of being a starting rotation pitching candidate.

The Friar Faithful hope the front office can find the right fit that strengthens the rotation before Opening Day.
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Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/gaslamp-ball-staff-editorials/52544/what-are-padres-plans-for-jp-sears
 
Good Morning San Diego: JP Sears could find his way into Padres’ rotation; San Diego has pitching depth

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The San Diego Padres projected pitching rotation has a top three with the potential to matchup with any staff in MLB. After that, things get a little dicey. Randy Vasquez has increased his innings pitched over the past two seasons, but he has shown himself to be susceptible to the walk, allowing 58 last season. To his credit, worked himself into and out of jams which kept his ERA at a respectable 3.84 in 2025. Matt Waldron was one of the top pitchers in the San Diego rotation at times two seasons ago, but he was unable to have the same success in 2025 and spent the year in the minors. Kyle Hart started last season in the Padres rotation, but fell out and into the minors, before eventually returning to the big-league club as a member of the bullpen. Joining Vasquez, Waldron and Hart to compete for a rotation spot is JP Sears, who was reported to be the main reason Padres president of baseball operations and general manager A.J. Preller reached out to the Athletics which ultimately resulted in San Diego acquiring not only Sears, but closer Mason Miller at the trade deadline last season. Sears did not endear himself to the Friar Faithful in his five starts for San Diego, but he may get another chance to do so with a strong performance in Spring Training.

Padres News:

  • The Hot Stove has been anything but that for the Padres and for most of baseball for that matter. There have been flashes of activity, but no sustained movement which has caused this offseason to feel incredibly slow. Cheri Bell of Gaslamp Ball says the reason for that on the San Diego front is the lack of financial flexibility, which could mean a trade is in the future for the club.
  • San Diego has questions about the starting rotation, but even though the final two spots appear uncertain, pitching coach Ruben Niebla and manager Craig Stammen should have multiple players to choose from to complete the rotation. Of course, adding a pitcher via trade or free agency is an option as well.

Baseball News:

  • With Alex Bregman agreeing to a five-year, $175 million contract with the Chicago Cubs, the Boston Red Sox find themselves with a vacancy at third base and money to spend. It is possible the Red Sox pivot to free agent Bo Bichette after failing to re-sign Bregman.
  • With the addition of Bregman, there has been increasing speculation that the Cubs could be gearing up to make a trade. One likely candidate to be traded by Chicago is infielder Nico Hoerner.
  • It was reported earlier this week that the New York Yankees and free-agent Cody Bellinger were “at an impasse.” It has been assumed for much of the offseason that Bellinger would re-sign with the Yankees, but with the latest reports New York will have to look at the remaining free agent options if Bellinger decides to sign with another team.
  • Reliever Pierce Johnson and the Cincinnati Reds reportedly agreed to a contract, Sunday. The deal has not been confirmed by the team.
  • The Toronto Blue Jays and former White Sox slugger Eloy Jimenez agreed to a minor league deal. Jimenez spent time with Toronto in 2025 but did not make it to the big leagues with the team.
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Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...-padres-rotation-san-diego-has-pitching-depth
 
Padres seem to be playing the waiting game

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Jeremiah Estrada

With pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training next month, the San Diego Padres are closing in on the deadline for filling out the major league roster. This is a World Baseball Classic year, and multiple top players will be leaving the team early in Spring Training to join their WBC team. It seems particularly important that the team be at full force for the brief time they will all be together before many important members leave for two weeks.

Although reporting dates are not released yet, most teams start earlier due to the WBC tournament. Most likely, pitchers and catchers will be reporting around Feb. 10-11 with position players four or five days later. Padres games begin Feb. 20 with the yearly charity game versus the Seattle Mariners. The WBC begins March 5, and it is normal for the teams to gather a week or so before the first game for practice and meetings.

In the best of circumstances, the Padres will have their team together for two weeks before Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., Mason Miller, Xander Bogaerts and Yuki Matsui leave for their respective WBC teams.

The six-week Spring Training calendar has been universally acknowledged to be too long for the hitters but needed for the pitchers to have their proper evaluation and build up for the season. All this makes it clear that setting the full roster and having that roster at the start of Spring Training will be especially important this year.

Padres short on cash?

In a short blurb written this week in The Athletic (and quoted in MLB Trade Rumors), Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon reported that multiple player agents had shared that the Padres are looking for starting pitching but are not ready to pull the trigger at this point. Rosenthal and Sammon suggest the problem is payroll restrictions and money must be cleared in order to sign any more free agents.

The Padres payroll currently sits at about $220 million (per FanGraphs), very close to the $221 million payroll of 2025. In their announcement of pursuing a sale of the team, Padres chairman John Seidler stated a desire to keep payroll similar to last year and continue the pursuit of a World Series Championship.

The numbers above seem to give weight to the suggestion that payroll is an issue in signing any further free agents. This could suggest that a trade is the only way for the Padres to add to their roster. As stated by many media members and baseball pundits, the bullpen is the one area of strength for this team and would be the most logical place to draw trade bait from.

This, of course, goes against everything president of baseball operations A.J. Preller said during the MLB Winter Meetings about keeping the bullpen intact. If there is to be a trade, it is either the bullpen or prospects because any other move would weaken the roster. High-leverage reliever Jeremiah Estrada has been mentioned in multiple articles suggesting that he is a potential closer and has extended control for any team that might trade for him.

If there is a trade of a Padres regular, it will be because a team needs a Padres player so badly that they are willing to overpay to get him. If Preller could get back multiple valuable pieces in that trade, then it could be worth it.

Patience and frustration

The other option, and the one I’m beginning to lean toward, is that Preller is waiting for prices to drop or players to be willing to sign minor league or “prove it” contracts that will not significantly add payroll. There is still an amazing amount of talent, even upper level talent, still on the market. This offseason has been slow moving with many upper-level players still unsigned and a lot of mid- and lower-tier players probably getting nervous.

When Preller surveys the list of unsigned free agents, he should not feel any sense of panic about filling out the rest of the 2026 roster. The Padres need a back-end starter(s), a 1B/DH that has some power and a bit more bench depth (catcher). Those three or four players can be signed late in the offseason when guys decide they would rather sign and play than sit at home during Spring Training.

The Padres are an attractive team to play for with their ballpark, fan base and recent history of success. Despite the frustration and impatience we are all feeling as the month of February approaches, it is wise to remember that Nick Pivetta signed immediately before the start of Spring Training last season. That worked out pretty well.

It is possible that signing Michael King spent the bulk of Preller’s free agent budget. We won’t know until we see what happens over the next month. But if that is the case, panic should be held in check and fans need to watch and see who ends up reporting to Peoria in early February.
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Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...65/padres-seem-to-be-playing-the-waiting-game
 
Man, I gotta say, watching the Padres try to navigate this offseason with basically no money and a depleted farm system is like watching someone try to make a gourmet meal with whatever's left in the fridge before grocery day. Not impossible, but you better get creative!

Look, I'm a Bills fan so I know all about front offices having to work with constraints, but Preller really painted himself into a corner with those deadline trades. Don't get me wrong - Mason Miller is a BEAST and totally worth it - but now you're banking on JP Sears and Randy Vasquez to hold down the back end of your rotation? That's... optimistic.

The Niebla comments about Sears being a "dawg" with great work ethic are nice and all, but the dude posted a 5.47 ERA in his starts for San Diego. Work ethic doesn't fool major league hitters. That said, if anyone can squeeze something out of him, it's probably Niebla. The guy has worked magic before.

What really gets me is the whole "waiting for prices to drop" strategy. Yeah, Pivetta worked out last year, but that's survivorship bias right there. For every Pivetta there's ten guys who signed late and were complete garbage. It's a gamble.

The bullpen depth is legitimately impressive though. Estrada, Miller, Adam coming back, Morejon... that's nasty. If Preller can flip one of those arms for a legit 1B/DH bat, that might be the move. I know he said he doesn't want to weaken the pen, but sometimes you gotta rob Peter to pay Paul.

Anyone else think Musgrove being healthy is the real X-factor here? If he comes back throwing like 2022 Musgrove, suddenly that rotation looks a LOT different.
 
Good Morning San Diego: Padres have not made recent additions to the roster, but they have been active

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The San Diego Padres started the new year on the right note, reaching contracts agreements with six arbitration eligible players. Mason Miller, Jason Adam and Adrian Morejon were included in that group and were joined by catcher Freddy Fermin, designated hitter/left fielder/first baseman Gavin Sheets and starter JP Sears. Cheri Bell of Gaslamp Ball provided details on each of these agreements as well as information about the upcoming celebration of life for Randy Jones and a prospect update along with various other topics in her Padres notes.

Padres News:

  • According to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon from The Athletic, the Padres “want to add a starter, but are telling the representatives for several free agents that they are not yet ready to move.” Could that be A.J. Preller waiting for prices to come down? Could it mean a trade is in the works to clear payroll? It remains to be seen, but most Padres fans are ready for a move of any kind.

Baseball News:

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Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...tions-to-the-roster-but-they-have-been-active
 
Padres Reacts Survey: How would you rate the San Diego offseason to this point?

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Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Padres fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

It has been a quiet offseason around Major League Baseball.

There have been short bursts of news at different points, but for the most part, it has been an unremarkable period for baseball. Could that be about to change after one of the top big-name free agents, Alex Bregman, signed a five-year, $175 million deal with the Chicago Cubs? Let’s hope so because this has been tough to watch.

Fans of the Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles and recently the Chicago Cubs have had exciting offseasons – at times. But they have been slow movers as well. The difference is that when these three teams have made moves, either via free agency or trade, they have been headline deals.

The Blue Jays may regret the contract they gave free agent right-hander Dylan Cease when they inked him to a seven-year, $210 million contract at the start of free agency. Cease jumped on the offer and with the other top starters, Framber Valdez and Ranger Suarez, still unsigned, he was smart to do so. Toronto also signed free agent infielder Kazuma Okamoto from Nippon Professional Baseball, and they are said to be in heavy pursuit of free agent outfielder Kyle Tucker.

The Orioles traded pitcher Grayson Rodriguez to the Los Angele Angels for outfielder Taylor Ward early in the offseason. Baltimore signed free agent first baseman Pete Alonso and made another trade with the Tampa Bay Rays to acquire Shane Baz. The Orioles are also considered a favorite to land either Valdez or Suarez.

The Cubs signed Bregman and that came just days after Chicago agreed to a trade with the Miami Marlins to acquire starting pitcher Edward Cabrera for outfield prospect Owen Caissie and a couple lesser-known prospects. Chicago never seemed to be all that interested in bringing Tucker back, but there were rumors that the team was interested in adding free agent outfielder Cody Bellinger. With the Bregman signing that may no longer be the case for the Cubs.

Those are the highlights of the baseball offseason, but the team WE are interested in is the San Diego Padres. They re-signed starting pitcher Michael King and added free agent infielder Sung-Mun Song from the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) in the same week, but the rest of the offseason moves have hardly been noticed, let alone made headlines. That’s not fair, at this point, every Padres move is a headline because we are starved for activity.

The Padres have signed multiple players to minor league contracts and have signed a few players to the major league roster. But one list clearly outpaces the other.

  • Major League Deals
    • RHP Michael King
    • INF Sung-Mun Song
    • LHP Kyle Hart
    • RHP Ty Adcock
    • RHP Daison Acosta
  • Minor League Deals
    • OF Pablo Reyes
    • OF Albert Fabian
    • RF Carlos Rodriguez
    • CF Jase Bowen
    • RHP Sean Boyle
    • RF Nick Schnell
    • RHP Misael Tamarez
    • RHP Evan Fitterer
    • RHP Nathanael Jacinto
    • RHP Albieris Polanco
    • SS Dawry Guerrero
    • C Blake Hunt
    • RHP Andrew Dalquist
    • RHP Sadrac Franco
    • 1B Nick Solak
    • RHP Triston McKenzie
    • LHP Fernando Sanchez
    • LHP D.J. Snelten
    • 3B Jose Miranda

There has been activity and there have been additions made by the Padres, but San Diego has made only a handful of major league additions. Most of these additions seem to be an effort to replenish a depleted minor league system. That could be the approach this offseason due to the reported financial constraints and a potential sale of the team, but that’s not a lot of fun for fans who have to sit and wait to see if one or more of these players who is signed to a minor league deal makes a push to join the big-league roster. How do you, the Friar Faithful and readers of Gaslamp Ball, feel about the San Diego offseason so far?

It can change any day with just one transaction, but we may have to wait until Spring Training for that to come.
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Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/gaslamp...ou-rate-the-san-diego-offseason-to-this-point
 
Padres set to open new lounge in Gallagher Square

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The San Diego Padres announced a new cocktail lounge and limited menu restaurant will open Friday, Jan. 14 at the former site of City Tacos in the Simon Levi Building. The early 1900s-era building is a restored warehouse on the edge of Gallagher Square and owned by the Padres. Located at 323 7th Ave., adjacent to the Gaslamp Gate of Petco Park, will be a throwback to late 1970s vibe with an interior with velvet drapes and leather booths with mirror accents, vinyl turntables and a disco ball. The limited space will seat 50 people and will open on the 14th as a soft opening with the general public invited to come Jan. 16.

The Diamond Room is a cooperative effort from the Padres and the Patina Group. It will be open from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday, Monday, Thursday and until midnight Friday and Saturday. It will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday. The hours are expected to expand during baseball season as well as when concerts and special events take place at Petco Park or Gallagher Square.

According to the official announcement from Delaware North, the lounge will feature classic cocktails but with a San Diego influence. The list will include the Diamond Margarita, Baxter’s Old Fashioned, a dirty Martini and a Fluffy Garibaldi to total 12 cocktails. There are also two non-alcoholic cocktails, as well as beer and wine on the menu. The foods will include small bites, salads, flatbreads, handheld menu items and a signature menu item that tips the cap to Petco Park (Diamond Dog).

As well as a cocktail lounge, there will be options for private event space use and the lounge will also host mixology classes given by the Patina group.
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Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...es-set-to-open-new-lounge-in-gallagher-square
 
Bud Black, Wil Myers rejoin the Padres

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On Wednesday, the San Diego Padres announced that former manager Bud Black and former player Wil Myers have both been hired into front office positions within the organization. Black will serve as a senior advisor to baseball operations while Myers will be a special assignment coach in the player development department.

Bud Black served as Padres manager from 2007-2015 and was named National League Manager of the Year in 2010. He went 649-713 during his time as manager of the Padres. Black was fired by president of baseball operations A.J. Preller after taking over as general manager of the team. Black then went to manage the Colorado Rockies from 2016 to May of 2025, when he was let go. Black is the second winningest manager in Padres history next to Bruce Bochy and was the manager in 2015 when Myers began his Padres career after being moved over in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. Black was fired by Preller after a 32-33 start to the 2015 season. The Black/Myers crossover was limited to the first two months of that season.

Wil Myers played eight of his 11 major league seasons with the Padres, from 2015-2022, and was an All-Star in 2016. He played first base and the outfield while hitting .254/.330/.451 with 134 homers as a Padre. After playing out his six-year, $83 million contract at the end of 2022, Myers played one more season as a Cincinnati Red and announced his retirement from baseball in December of 2024.

Myers was a fan favorite during his time with the team and has gone down in Padres lore for his last actions after his last home game. After winning a home playoff game versus the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2022, Myers and his wife hit the East Village outside of Petco Park and bought rounds of drinks for fans in a neighboring bar. His actions went viral and that was the last any Padres fan saw of Myers as a Padre.

Most Padres fans will be happy to see two more of their favorite former Padres come back to the team. This follows the move made March of 2025, when the Padres brought Padres Hall of Famer and former Cy Young Award winner, Jake Peavy, back as a special assistant to the CEO. He lives and works full-time elsewhere (analyst on MLB Network) but assists CEO Erik Greupner on special projects and serves as an ambassador for the team.

Bringing former fan favorites back is a great public relations move for the team and also gives fans a chance to interact with them again. Look for some interviews coming up with both as they transition into their new roles.
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Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-diego-padres-news/52634/bud-black-and-wil-myers-rejoin-the-padres
 
Good Morning San Diego: Bryan Hoeing, Jackson Merrill look for success in ‘26; Padres have been making moves, but few headlines

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Bryan Hoeing came to the San Diego Padres at the trade deadline in the 2024 season. He was not the focus of the trade as Tanner Scott also joined the Padres in the same deal, but his versatility and potential made him a player not to be overlooked. Cheri Bell of Gaslamp Ball looks at what Hoeing has done during his time in San Diego and what could be instore for the right-hander this season.

Padres News:

  • Jackson Merrill burst onto the MLB scene and captured the fans of San Diego in his rookie season in 2024. However, as much as Merrill and the Friar Faithfull were looking for greater success in 2025, injuries and a prolonged slump resulted in a down season for the centerfielder. Thomas Conroy of Gaslamp Ball looks at what Merrill will have to do this season to give the Padres what they need to be contenders.
  • San Diego has been busy adding to its minor league system this offseason with more than a dozen players signed to minor league deals, but the Padres have not made many moves that directly affect the big-league roster. San Diego has re-signed pitchers Michael King and Kyle Hart, signed relievers Ty Adcock and Daison Acosta and added free agent infielder Sung-Mun Song, but they still have areas of need to address. How would the readers of Gaslamp Ball rate what the Padres have done this offseason?
  • AJ Cassavell of Padres.com identifies Freddy Fermin as the primary catcher for the Padres heading into Spring Training, but it has yet to be determined who will be the backup. San Diego has Luis Campusano and recently added Blake Hunt to compete for the job, but Cassavell also notes the Padres could look to bolster the position throughout free agency or with a trade at some point this offseason.
  • David Morgan had an impressive rookie season out of the bullpen in 2025 and there was some talk that he could be stretched out to become a starter this season. Padres president of baseball operations and general manager A.J. Preller all but said that is not going to happen. Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune looks at Morgan and what he can do for an encore in his second season in the Padres’ bullpen.

Baseball News:

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Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...dres-have-been-making-moves-but-few-headlines
 
Good Morning San Diego: Former faces return to Padres; Bradgley Rodriguez could start season in San Diego bullpen

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The San Diego Padres are reuniting with two former members of the organization. It was reported Wednesday that former manager Bud Black and former All-Star Wil Myers are joining the front office. Black is going to be a senior advisor to baseball operations and Myers will be a special assignment coach in the player development department according to Cheri Bell of Gaslamp Ball. Black and Myers each had their own levels of success during their previous stints with the Padres and they both return to the organization with the same goal of bringing a World Series title to San Diego.

Padres News:

  • Cheri Bell of Gaslamp Ball also went into detail in her piece about Diamond Room, the Padres’ new cocktail lounge located near Gallagher Square. The establishment has a soft opening Friday and will be open to the public, Saturday.
  • In his ongoing Padres roster review, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune looks at Bradgley Rodriguez and what he can do during Spring Training to secure a spot in the bullpen to open the 2026 season.
  • Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic included a small bit of information about the Padres in his report, Wednesday. He stated San Diego was another team that was aggressively seeking a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals for Nolan Arenado, adding that had the Padres landed him they would have moved him to first base.
  • Nick Solak and Omar Cruz were signed to minor league deals according to a report from Darragh McDonald of MLB Trade Rumors. Solak was previously reported to have signed with the Padres according to their transactions tab on the team web site, but Cruz appears to be a new signing despite having been with the organization last season.
  • Spring workout dates for all of MLB have been announced. Padres pitchers and catchers report to camp Feb. 11, and the first team workout is Feb. 15. Players competing in the World Baseball Classic will be required to show up earlier than players not competing in the WBC.

Baseball News:

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Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...iguez-could-start-season-in-san-diego-bullpen
 
It's nice to see Bud Black and Wil Myers coming back to the organization. Myers especially left on such a high note with the fans after that playoff run in 2022 - buying drinks for everyone outside Petco is the kind of thing people remember. Having him work in player development seems like a good fit given how well-liked he was in the clubhouse during his time here.

The offseason has been pretty underwhelming from a headline perspective, but I get it. With the potential sale looming and the financial constraints, the front office probably doesn't have much flexibility right now. Re-signing King was the priority and they got that done. Song from the KBO is an interesting addition that could provide some depth.

The minor league signings are actually more significant than they might appear. Triston McKenzie is a name worth watching if he can stay healthy - the stuff is there. Jose Miranda has big league experience too. Building up the farm system after it got depleted from trades makes sense even if it's not exciting.

I'm more curious to see what happens with the catcher situation. Fermin as the primary guy is fine, but the backup spot being unsettled heading into spring training is something to monitor. Wouldn't mind seeing them make one more move there.

That Diamond Room lounge sounds like a cool addition to the Petco Park area though. Late 70s vibe with a disco ball could be fun on game days.
 
Former Padres manager Bud Black joins front office as advisor…to Craig Stammen?

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The Friar Faithful were caught off guard with the announcement of former San Diego Padres manager Bud Black joining the front office as an advisor. The hire provides an additional voice for Craig Stammen as he prepares to transition from a front office executive to a field manager.

Black’s resume is impressive​


His resume is quite impressive, as Black has managed in the majors for parts of 18 seasons. He served as Padres manager from 2007 to 2015 and was the Colorado Rockies skipper from 2017 to 2025. His time in Denver saw him lead the franchise to back-to-back postseason berths in 2017 and 2018.

Black is the second-winningest manager in Friars history with 649 victories. Heartache is part of his legacy with the franchise, as Black never led the ballclub to a postseason berth.

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Who could forget the Padres losing a one-game Wild Card playoff game against the Rockies in 2007? The Friar Faithful are still waiting for Matt Holliday to touch home plate.

Black’s 2010 team fell apart and squandered a six-and-a-half game lead atop the National League West in August. A small consolation for him was being named NL Manager of the Year in the winter award season.

Along with two managerial stints, he served as Special Assistant to the General Manager for the then-Cleveland Indians from 1995 to 1997 and again in 1999. Black held the same position with the Los Angeles Angels in 2016.

His other on-field positions include serving as the Angels’ pitching coach from 2000 to 2006. His staff played a crucial role in capturing the 2002 World Series title. Black also won 121 games with five different major league franchises during his 15-year playing career.

Black offers becoming a trusted mentor to Stammen​


No one was quite sure what Black’s next career move would be after the Rockies let him go last summer. He could have taken time off and recharged the battery while waiting for a call from an organization about his interest in managing again.

Instead, Black joined the Padres’ front office. Stammen has an opportunity to learn from a man who had some success as a major league manager. His experience will help him navigate through those rough stretches that occur in a baseball season.

The goal is for Black to become another sounding board for Stammen to bounce potential game strategies off of, discuss how to balance a batting order, and address other issues that arise. Given the complexity of the managerial role, he should seek insight from a respected former skipper.

There is no hidden agenda, as Black wants to offer guidance and not apply for his job. Managing egos inside the locker room can be as difficult as the games themselves.

I may be naive, but I’m calling this potential mentorship a friendly conversation between two individuals who have a great passion for baseball.

Stammen has never managed at any professional level, but Black could become an invaluable asset to his development. His baseball journey includes working in different capacities within several organizations.

Black’s vast knowledge will help Stammen make a smooth transition.
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Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/gaslamp...joins-front-office-as-advisorto-craig-stammen
 
Padres sign 3 of the top 100 international prospects

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Joniel Hernandez

The San Diego Padres have a long history of signing top international prospects. Catcher Ethan Salas signed in 2023, and shortstop Leo De Vries signed in 2024. Top reliever Adrian Morejon was a 2016 signee, part of the biggest and most expensive Padres amateur class.

The 2026 signing window opened Jan. 15 and closes on Dec. 15. The Padres have $5.94 million available to them for signing players. The total amount spent so far is not currently publicly known but their two biggest bonuses, $1.4 million to Cuban shortstop Joniel Hernandez and $1 million to Mexican LHP Diego Serna, was a good start.

Both players are ranked in the top 100, per Baseball America, and were joined by Curacao shortstop Timothy Mogen, who signed for $600,00. All three had prior agreements with the organization and the announcements came soon after the opening of the official window.

#31 Hernandez, 16, is a plus-runner with a plus-arm and athleticism. He has good bat speed and could develop above average power. If he doesn’t stick at shortstop, he has the skills to also profile in center field.

#45 Serna, 16, could be the best lefty pitcher in the class. He has a starter profile and is already 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds. He throws a mid-90s fastball, a plus-slider and a changeup with an advanced development due to his extensive experience in Mexico.

#76 Mogen, 17, is a shortstop from Aruba with plus-speed and a plus-arm and could develop power as he fills out his 6-foot-4, 170-pound frame. He has good contact skills and a high baseball IQ.

The other players signed in the first 24 hours include:

RHP Joel Duarte, 17, ($150,000) from Venezuela was training as a shortstop but converted to pitching recently with a plus-arm. At 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, started with a mid-90s fastball and has topped at 98 mph.

Catcher Jhoneiker Leon is from Venezuela with a strong arm and plus-power as a hitter.

RHP Jordan Perez ($300,000) is a Cuban that has starter tools. He currently shows a low-90s fastball and a good curveball.

LHP Joel Gonzalez is out of Panama and shortstop Osmy Osorio is from Venezuela. There are no current scouting reports for either of these players.

Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported the above signings as well, but they are not confirmed by the team.

Expect more players to sign over the next year. All international players must be 16 before they sign and turn 17 by Sept. 1 of the following year. They must all be registered with MLB before signing. All players signed before summer will be part of a group who will start their professional careers as part of the Padres international group that lives and trains at their complex in the Dominican Republic.

The Dominican Summer League is home to several of the Padres top prospects and last year featured No. 9 prospect Deivid Coronil, an infielder who spent his rookie season as part of the DSL Padres Gold team, and No. 17 prospect Jhoan De La Cruz. Cruz, a shortstop and second baseman, spent his rookie season playing alongside Coronil in the Gold team infield.

Some DSL players play more than just their rookie season in the Dominican, but the more advanced players transfer stateside to begin their US careers with Lake Elsinore.
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Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/minors/52677/padres-sign-3-of-the-top-100-international-prospects
 
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