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Padres’ postseason hopes rest on a resurgent Joe Musgrove

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San Diego Padres Joe Musgrove (Photo by K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)

Major League Baseball’s offseason is coming to an end. It is time to take your bats, balls, and glove out of storage because Spring Training is fast upon us. The San Diego Padres’ postseason hopes rest on a resurgent Joe Musgrove leading them to October baseball.

Spring Training is where pitchers want to ramp up their offseason workouts, but the Padres need some assurance that Musgrove is healthy to begin the regular season on the active roster.

Musgrove is an essential part of the rotation​


He missed the entire 2025 campaign recovering from Tommy John surgery. Arm injuries limited his workload the prior season, as Musgrove finished with a 6-5 record, 3.88 ERA in 19 starts. The right-hander’s season prematurely ended in the postseason, as Musgrove pitched 3.2 innings before leaving his start against the Atlanta Braves with elbow discomfort in the Wild Card round.

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You cannot argue with his career success. Musgrove registered a 3.73 ERA with a 23.9% strikeout rate and 6.0% base-on-balls rate in 180 starts. He utilizes a six-pitch repertoire, as his sinker averages over 90 MPH, which sets up the four-seam fastball (93 MPH) to get batters out.

Friars skipper Craig Stammen has reiterated that he does not foresee implementing an innings limit on Musgrove. However, he will monitor how he feels after each start and determine if Musgrove needs extra recovery time before his next appearance on the mound.

Starting pitching depth is hard to find​


The Friars are searching for starting pitching depth, as they need to take a cautious approach with several starters. Michael King, Nick Pivetta, Randy Vasquez, JP Sears, Triston McKenzie, and newly signed Marco Gonzales are expected to see time in the starting rotation this season. Several in this group carry their own injury issues.

King spent the majority of last season on the injury list, which limited him to 15 starts. All eyes will be on him during his throwing sessions at the start of Spring Training. The organization is optimistic that King will return to form in 2026.

Gonzales spent last season recovering from surgery that placed an internal brace to repair the flexor tendon in his left forearm. The injury limited him to 17 combined starts in the 2023 and 2024 seasons. The latest procedure was the third surgery on Gonzales’ troublesome arm. If he makes the major league roster, the coaching staff will monitor the amount of innings-pitched all summer long.

It is undecided if Musgrove will begin the 2026 season on the Opening Day roster, as the Padres will monitor his progress during Cactus League appearances. They need to build up his arm strength before Musgrove makes his regular season debut.

It may be disappointing not to see him pitch in the opening series at Petco Park, but the goal is to keep Musgrove healthy all season long.
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Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/gaslamp...season-hopes-rest-on-a-resurgent-joe-musgrove
 
Padres Reacts Survey Results: Trevor Hoffman still notching wins long after finishing his career

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10 May 2001: Trevor Hoffman #51 of the San Diego Padres winds back to pitch the ball during the game against the Atlanta Braves at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Padres defeated the Braves 6-5.Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport | Getty Images

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.

Trevor Hoffman is one of the most beloved players to ever wear a San Diego Padres uniform and that fact is highlighted with the results of this week’s Padres Reacts Survey. Gaslamp Ball asked readers which of the 2026 bobbleheads would get them to Petco Park to take in a game and the top choice was the Hall of Fame closer. The Hoffman bobblehead will be given out to the first 40,000 fans on Wednesday, July 8, when the Padres host the Arizona Diamondbacks at 7:10 p.m.

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Hoffman started his tenure in San Diego at the end of the 1993 season, and he remained with the Padres through the 2008 season. Hoffman accumulated 552 of his 601 saves in San Diego, which included his career best 53 save season in 1998, helping the Padres reach the World Series. It is fitting the Hoffman bobblehead is donning the navy-blue hat and jersey with white pants that was the uniform during that magical season.

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Not surprisingly, the Don & Mud theme game bobblehead, with Don Orsillo in his mini-yacht towing Mark “Mud” Grant sitting in a life ring, was the second choice. The broadcast team is routinely voted one of the best booths in MLB and Padres fans often make signs for the duo whether at home or on the road. The Don & Mud bobblehead will be given out Friday, July 31, when the Padres host the San Francisco Giants at 6:40 p.m. Fans must purchase a theme game ticket to receive one of these bobbleheads.

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New Padres closer Mason Miller was also a top choice of fans joining Hoffman and Don & Mud as the only bobbleheads of the nine listed to receive 20 percent or more of the vote. The Miller bobblehead will be given out to the first 40,000 fans on Thursday, May 7, when the Padres host the St. Louis Cardinals at 7:10 p.m.

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It has been a slow offseason for the Padres and their general manager A.J. Preller, but many fans and baseball reports still believe a major move is coming. Will that be as a trade or a free agent signing no one sees coming, only time will tell. The team, with stars like Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., Jackson Merrill and Xander Bogaerts in the lineup is enough to get fans to the stadium, but the added bonus of a promotional giveaway in the form of a bobblehead adds a little extra motivation to see the game in person.
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Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/gaslamp...notching-wins-long-after-finishing-his-career
 
Good Morning San Diego: Joe Musgrove making much anticipated return in ‘26; Catching position solidified by Freddy Fermin

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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 20: Joe Musgrove #44 of the San Diego Padres gestures before the game against the Kansas City Royals at Petco Park on June 20, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Joe Musgrove - Getty Images

Joe Musgrove is returning to the field for the San Diego Padres for the 2026 season. His health and availability will be the keys to keeping him on the mound and Thomas Conroy of Gaslamp Ball says his results will be a determining factor in whether the Padres reach the postseason. Musgrove missed the 2025 season recovering from Tommy John surgery and has said in recent interviews he is looking forward to toeing the slab for San Diego throughout the season and into October.

Padres News:

  • The most exciting move of the offseason for the Padres was re-signing Michael King. The right-hander had an up-and-down season in 2025 as a result of a nerve injury and a resulting knee injury, but when he was on the mound, he was one of the best pitchers in the rotation. Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune looks at what King can provide the Padres in 2026 in his latest installment of the Padres roster review.
  • The catcher position was a question mark in 2024 and 2025, but the Padres enter the 2026 season knowing Freddy Fermin will be behind the plate. He learned his craft behind future Hall of Famer Salvador Perez as a member of the Kansas City Royals. Fermin came to the Padres as a surprising trade deadline move and stabilized the catching position in San Diego. He enters this season as the starter and Luis Campusano will have his chance to earn the backup role.
  • Keith Law of The Athletic previously ranked the San Diego minor league system as the worst farm system in MLB. He focused solely on Padres prospects for his recent rankings, which assigned individual rankings to various players in the San Diego system including Ethan Salas, Kruz Schoolcraft and Kash Mayfield among others.

Baseball News:

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Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...catching-position-solidified-by-freddy-fermin
 
Good Morning San Diego: Padres need Nick Pivetta to replicate his 2025 season; Sheel Seidler, Seidler family reach agreement

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 17: Nick Pivetta #27 of the San Diego Padres throws a pitch in the first inning during a game against the New York Mets at Citi Field on September 17, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Nick Pivetta joined the San Diego Padres rotation after the start of Spring Training last season, and he proved himself to be the best arm in the rotation throughout the year. Pivetta has been mentioned in trade rumors throughout the offseason, but as the team gets closer to Spring Training it appears he will be back on the mound for the Padres in 2026. Can he have another career year in San Diego that sees him mentioned as a Cy Young candidate? The Padres and Friar Faithful would like to think so. Pivetta announced at Padres FanFest he is not going to play for Canada in the World Baseball Classic this spring because he wants to focus on getting ready for the season and helping the Padres win a World Series.

Padres News:

  • According to a report from Dennis Lin of The Athletic, Sheel Seidler and the Seidler family have reached an agreement that will end the bulk of the claims the widow of late owner Peter Seidler brought against two of his brothers, Matt and Bob, in a lawsuit last year. However, some of the claims made by Sheel Seidler in the lawsuit remain.
  • The offseason is slowly but surely coming to an end and that is a reason for San Diego fans to be excited. There have not been many moves this offseason that have inspired Padres fans to start making postseason plans, but there is still time for San Diego president of baseball operations and general manager A.J. Preller to make the “blockbuster move” that was rumored to be in the works following the MLB Winter Meetings. The question asked by Gaslamp Ball in this week’s Padres Reacts Survey is do you think Preller and the Padres will make a significant trade or signing prior to the start of Spring Training?
  • The Padres infield has age, experience and long-term contracts but what does that mean for the 2026 season? Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune looks at what the veteran group has to offer on the dirt and whether Gavin Sheets can be the answer at first base in his Padres spring training primer.

Baseball News:

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Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...2025-season-san-diego-infield-pretty-much-set
 
Padres still searching for starting lineup, rotation answers

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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA March 28, 2019: Petco Park

There’s still a lot that will take place between now and Opening Day on March 27. With just over a month to go, the San Diego Padres’ only meaningful pickups so far this offseason have been the re-signing of Michael King, the signing of KBO star Sung-Mun Song and the latest addition of free agent outfielder Miguel Andujar. While these are great moves, they need more to become a truly threatening force in the National League West.

So what’s left for the Friars to do? For the purposes of this exercise, we will not include the bullpen (which is more or less set for San Diego). With that in mind, what should fans expect to see on Opening Day against the Detroit Tigers? Here’s a couple possibilities.

The dream team​


Starting Lineup

  • C Freddy Fermin
  • 1B Paul Goldschmidt
  • 2B Sung-Mun Song
  • SS Xander Bogaerts
  • 3B Manny Machado
  • LF Ramón Laureano
  • CF Jackson Merrill
  • RF Fernando Tatis Jr.
  • DH Marcell Ozuna

Starting Rotation

  • Nick Pivetta
  • Michael King
  • Joe Musgrove
  • Parker Messick
  • Triston McKenzie

I get it. This looks unlikely (and slightly crazy). That’s why it’s the “everything goes right” possibility. Yu Darvish voids his contract, the team gets bought by a big spender before Spring Training ends, and someone like Jake Cronenworth gets traded in order to make some more room on the payroll.

This is the perfect scenario for the Padres. It gives them some thump from a bounceback candidate in Marcell Ozuna and a steady veteran presence in Paul Goldschmidt. Parker Messick slots into the rotation nicely as a rookie leftie, and Triston McKenzie performs well enough in Spring Training to earn his spot in the rotation.

Obviously, Messick would require a trade with the Cleveland Guardians that would include a decent price tag, but he would not become a free agent until 2032 (and would be incredibly inexpensive until then). With additions like that, San Diego’s lineup and rotation look elite, giving them a real shot at slaying the dragon up the freeway.

The (slightly) more realistic dream​


Starting Lineup

  • C Freddy Fermin
  • 1B Gavin Sheets
  • 2B Sung-Mun Song
  • SS Xander Bogaerts
  • 3B Manny Machado
  • LF Ramón Laureano
  • CF Jackson Merrill
  • RF Fernando Tatis Jr.
  • DH Marcell Ozuna

Starting Rotation

  • Nick Pivetta
  • Michael King
  • Joe Musgrove
  • Patrick Corbin
  • Randy Vasquez

This is more of where I think the Padres will end up. Picking up Ozuna for some added power and allowing Gavin Sheets to get reps at first base to build on his stellar first season in San Diego.

The addition of Patrick Corbin brings in a serviceable left-hander who could help anchor the back half of the rotation. These moves still probably require a trade to free up payroll and they’re smaller additions, but they could go a long way in the Friars’ return to October baseball.

Where we’re at right now​


Starting Lineup

  • C Freddy Fermin
  • 1B Gavin Sheets
  • 2B Jake Cronenworth
  • SS Xander Bogaerts
  • 3B Manny Machado
  • LF Ramón Laureano
  • CF Jackson Merrill
  • RF Fernando Tatis Jr.
  • DH Miguel Andújar

Starting Rotation

  • Nick Pivetta
  • Michael King
  • Joe Musgrove
  • JP Sears
  • Randy Vasquez

Without any additions, the current team looks something like this. And this isn’t terrible. Not by a long shot. You have Pivetta and King anchoring the front end of a rotation (with some question marks at the back), and a lineup with some great bats in it. The problem is this looks less like a team that could take the NL West by storm and more of one that is going to fall into the purgatory of mediocrity.

Whether the Padres have any moves left remains to be seen, but general manager A.J. Preller has shown in years past that he is more than capable of pulling off a last-minute deal (like the 2024 trade for Dylan Cease announced the day the team left for the season opener in South Korea). Preller has shown that he is one of the more creative executives in MLB so it wouldn’t be surprising to see one or two more moves. Until then, all we can do is wait and watch the clock tick down to March 27.
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Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/gaslamp...earching-for-starting-lineup-rotation-answers
 
Good Morning San Diego: Padres add Miguel Andujar; Sale of team could be in near future

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CINCINNATI, OH - AUGUST 16: Miguel Andujar #38 of the Cincinnati Reds during the game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on Saturday, August 16, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Abdoul Sow/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

The day started with news about the bulk of the lawsuit between Sheel Seidler and Matt and Bob Seidler being settled and it ended with reports the San Diego Padres signed free agent outfielder Miguel Andujar to a one-year, $4 million contract. He is expected to be the right-handed bat with pop the Padres were looking to add this offseason. San Diego president of baseball operations and general manager A.J. Preller recently stated he wanted to add a bat or two and wanted to make additions to the rotation. Could Preller bring in a free agent pitcher or two prior to the start of Spring Training? It would generate some excitement as the Padres open camp Feb. 12.

Padres News:

  • Following the reported addition of Andujar, Lincoln Zdunich of Gaslamp Ball set his sights on projecting ideal lineups for the Padres and their rotation.
  • Fernando Tatis Jr. is a two-time Platinum Glove award-winning right fielder, and he is entering the 2026 season with an idea of winning an MVP award. Tatis Jr. has not shown the offensive production he displayed prior to his PED suspension, but he thinks some mechanical adjustments to his swing could unlock an extended run of success.
  • AJ Cassavell of Padres.com believes there are three players from the Padres Spring Training non-roster invitees who have potential to impact the major league roster and he identifies pitcher Triston McKenzie as the top candidate. Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune lists catcher Ethan Salas as the headliner of the non-roster invitees.
  • Sanders focused on the San Diego outfielders for his latest spring training primer. There are high expectations when the starters are Tatis Jr., Jackson Merrill and Ramon Laureano. He also put the spotlight on Merrill as the subject of his ongoing Padres roster review.

Baseball News:

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Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...-andujar-sale-of-team-could-be-in-near-future
 
Padres Reacts Survey: Does A.J. Preller have some moves up his sleeve?

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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 19: San Diego Padres President of Baseball Operations and General Manager A.J. Preller speaks at Michael King's contract press conference at Petco Park on December 19, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images) | Getty Images

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

The San Diego Padres and president of baseball operations and general manager A.J. Preller have had a relatively quiet offseason. Michael King was re-signed and Sung-Mun Song was added through free agency – those were the “headline moves.” There were pitchers like Kyle Hart, Ty Adcock and Daison Acosta who were added to the major league roster as well, but all the other moves for the Padres have come in the form of minor league contracts.

The offseason started with glaring holes on the San Diego roster. The team lacked starting rotation depth and a first baseman/designated hitter. Those holes are still areas of concern at least among Padres fans, but some clarity was gained after Padres FanFest – kind of.

Manager Craig Stammen said Gavin Sheets is the de facto first baseman as the team prepares for the start of Spring Training. The designated hitter position is potentially going to be used to get regulars like Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts off their feet for a day, meaning the team will not have a true DH.

With Preller at the helm, a signing or a move late in the offseason cannot be discounted, but with pitchers and catchers set to report Feb. 12, time is running out to made additions before camp opens. Preller signed Nick Pivetta after the start of Spring Training last year so by no means is the roster set

The later it gets, it seems the “blockbuster trade” we were teased with during the MLB Winter Meetings is not going to happen. Gaslamp Ball asks you, the Friar Faithful, do you expect Preller and the Padres to make a significant trade or signing prior to the start of Spring Training?

Results of the Padres Reacts Survey will be revealed later in the week.
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Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/gaslamp...oes-a-j-preller-have-some-moves-up-his-sleeve
 
Good Morning San Diego: Padres well represented in World Baseball Classic; Sale of club could come sooner than expected

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MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 14: Manny Machado #13 of Team Dominican Republic rounds the bases after hitting a home run against Team Israel during their World Baseball Classic Pool D game at loanDepot park on March 14, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) | Manny Machado - Getty Images

The rosters for each of the World Baseball Classic teams were announced, Friday and the San Diego Padres were well represented on several teams. Mason Miller will play for the US, Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Wandy Peralta for Dominican Republic, Xander Bogaerts for Netherlands, Yuki Matsui for Japan, Ron Marinaccio and Alek Jacob for Italy, Carter Loewen for Canada, Josh Mallitz for Israel and Miguel Cienfuegos for Panama. It is an honor and in some cases a dream for these players to compete for their country, but with so many players leaving during Spring Training to compete in the WBC, there is concern about how productive they can be for the Padres.

Padres News:

  • With the bulk of the lawsuit between Sheel Seider and Matt and Bob Seidler being settled, the probability of a new owner in San Diego seems to be growing more possible by the day. A report in The Athletic identifies potential buyers and adds that the bids for the purchase of the franchise could come by the end of the month.
  • Machado has been one of if not the de facto leader of the Padres throughout his tenure in San Diego. Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune shifts his focus to the All-Star third baseman for his ongoing Padres roster review.
  • Sanders also contributed a report on the Padres starting rotation as they prepare to open Spring Training next week. The five top arms have been discussed and dissected throughout the offseason. According to Preller he is still looking to add an arm in free agency,

Baseball News:

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Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...-sale-of-club-could-come-sooner-than-expected
 
Interesting to see the Padres are still in this holding pattern with Spring Training right around the corner. The Andujar signing makes sense as a depth piece, but I'm not sure he's the impact bat fans were hoping for.

What stands out to me is the rotation situation. Pivetta and King at the top is solid, but after Musgrove there are real question marks. The article mentioning Corbin as a "realistic" option is... well, that's a bit concerning given how he's pitched the last few years. JP Sears could be serviceable but that's a lot of uncertainty for a team trying to compete in the NL West.

The ownership situation settling might actually be the most important development here. Hard for Preller to make big moves when there's so much uncertainty about the financial future of the club. If bids are really coming by the end of the month, maybe that unlocks some flexibility.

Also worth noting - that's a lot of key players heading to the WBC. Machado, Tatis, Bogaerts, Matsui, Miller... I get it's an honor, but having that many guys away during Spring Training camp could affect team chemistry and preparation. Pivetta skipping to focus on the Padres season seems like the right call given how important he'll be to their success.

Curious what others think about the first base situation. Are we really comfortable rolling with Gavin Sheets as the everyday guy? Seems like a spot where Preller could still make a move if the right opportunity comes up.
 
Let’s analyze Padres’ payroll for 2026, beyond

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San Diego Padres Chairman John Seidler, (Photo by Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)

The arrival of pitchers and catchers is less than a week away in Peoria, Ariz., but the Friar Faithful have concerns about the makeup of the 2026 San Diego Padres. They feel Padres president of baseball operations and general manager A.J. Preller’s hands are tied when improving the roster because of a bloated payroll.

San Diego is bracing for a new owner, as the Seidler family announced following the conclusion of the World Series that the franchise was going to be put on the market for sale. Well, the first hurdle has been cleared toward a potential sale.

Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune (subscription required) reported that the bulk of the lawsuit brought against Matthew and Robert Seidler by their sister-in-law, Sheel Seidler, has been settled.

So, why the lack of player movement this winter?

Let’s not forget that the Seidler family stated they’re all-in to improve the roster for the 2026 season, but the moves must make sense. In other words, we are not signing another big-name free agent or trading for high-salary players that diminish the franchise’s sale price. The team’s quiet offseason confirms that Preller had limited options on how he could improve the roster.

Analyzing the Padres’ 2026 payroll​


Before moving forward, we must look back. The Padres paid just under $7 million in luxury tax, as last season’s payroll was over $270 million. The odds are good that Preller will come close to this number by season’s end.

Currently, the Friars’ 2026 luxury tax payroll is just under $260 million, as nine players will make over $11 million, and five in this group will be paid over $20 million this season.

Here are the Padres’ luxury tax payroll for 2026 (According to Spotrac)

  • Manny Machado: $31 million
  • Xander Bogaerts: $25.4 million
  • Michael King: $25 million
  • Fernando Tatis Jr.: $24.2 million
  • Joe Musgrove: $20 million
  • Yu Darvish: $18 million
  • Jackson Merrill: $15 million
  • Nick Pivetta: $13.7 million
  • Jake Cronenworth: $11.4 million

As you can see, more than $182 million is committed to these nine players, and four of them (Machado, Bogaerts, Tatis Jr., and Merrill) are contractually obligated to play through the 2032 season. The above financial numbers represent the average annual value (AAV), which is the dollar figure of a player’s salary for each year of their contract.

What does the future hold?​


A salary cap will not stop baseball’s offseason spending spree. Often, franchises rebound from being rebuffed by a top free agent to overpay for a less talented player. It is just the nature of the business, as few teams walk away from the buying process to stand pat for next season. You either pivot to your next option or risk the pack moving past your club in the chase for a postseason berth.

Does the trade market become a viable option for Preller once again? He has used this path to acquire talent at the last two trade deadlines. The Rockstar GM was not afraid to deal the organization’s top prospect, Leodalis De Vries, for a young, controllable power arm named Mason Miller. The move helped the Padres claim a postseason berth last season.

Yes, Preller did refrain from partaking in this winter’s free agent sweepstakes. But the recent signing of Marco Gonzales and Miguel Andujar are low-risk, high-reward deals that improve the depth on the 40-man roster.

The Friars projected payroll for 2027 and beyond​

  • 2027: $221.1 million
  • 2028: $197.5 million
  • 2029: $132 million
  • 2030: $132.5 million

Potentially, the Padres will gain some financial wiggle room with expiring contracts and player opt-out clauses. Ramon Laureano will be eligible to become a free agent, and the club has an option on Kyle Hart following the 2026 season. Approximately $40 million is coming off the books, as Preller will have some flexibility to retool the roster.

King has a player option for the 2027 and 2028 seasons, but it will not be a simple decision for him. If he chooses to opt out, King would be walking away from $58 million over the life of the deal.

Yes, there are questions surrounding the health of his right arm that will always be there for the media to debate. I would not be surprised if a contract extension that keeps King in San Diego for the remainder of his playing career occurs after the sale of the franchise. King is too vital to the Padres’ future.

Friar Faithful favorite Joe Musgrove is eligible to become a free agent after the 2027 season. His production on the mound over the next two seasons will determine if the organization will offer another contract to him. If not, the Padres will have $20 million to entice an attractive free agent to come to San Diego.

Preller and company are committed to contending for a postseason berth in 2026. However, the financial resources to make in-season trades might be limited, but the outlook looks good in 2027 and beyond.

The Friar Faithful need to be patient, but that is not easy.
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Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/gaslamp...5/lets-analyze-padres-payroll-for-2026-beyond
 
Good Morning San Diego: Padres financial picture remains unclear; manager Craig Stammen will have options when constructing his lineup

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San Diego, CA - November 10, 2025: San Diego Padres new manager Craig Stammen speaks at a news conference as President of baseball operations and General Manager A.J. Preller looks on at Petco Park on November 10, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Photo by K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)

The finances of the San Diego Padres have been scrutinized since at least 2023 and each of the past two offseasons have been clouded with speculation about the lack of financial flexibility for the club. Padres president of baseball operation and general manager A.J. Preller has been able to walk the monetary tightrope the last couple of seasons and produced back-to-back postseason rosters. Thomas Conroy of Gaslamp Ball looks at what the financial picture is for San Diego in 2026 and what it will look like in the years ahead and if Preller or another general manager will have the ability to spend money to address roster needs.

Padres News:

  • The Padres added Miguel Andujar earlier this week and his ability to hit left-handed pitching and play multiple positions on the field makes him a valuable addition to the roster. AJ Cassavell of Padres.com looks at how manager Craig Stammen will use his players to put a competitive team on the field game after game.
  • The strength of the Padres in 2026 will be their bullpen. According to experts and fans alike, the Padres have the best bullpen in the sport. Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune looks at what fans can expect from the group this season.
  • As the offseason winds down and Spring Training draws near, the Padres roster review by Sanders will eventually end, but not before he focuses on right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr.
  • In recent days the Padres have reportedly been interested in signing free agent pitcher Framber Valdez and most recently free agent first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. Of course, neither player will play for San Diego in 2026, but it shows San Diego is trying to shore up the roster holes.

Baseball News:

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Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...ill-have-options-when-constructing-his-lineup
 
Look, I gotta be honest here - as a Bills and Sabres guy, I'm not exactly losing sleep over the Padres' roster construction issues. BUT I will say this: the financial situation you guys are dealing with is actually pretty fascinating from a sports management perspective.

$260 million in luxury tax payroll with a pending ownership sale? That's a tough spot for Preller to be in. The dude's hands are basically tied until someone actually buys the team. Can't blame him for the quiet offseason when the ownership group is basically saying "make moves that don't tank our sale price." That's corporate speak for "don't do anything."

The Gavin Sheets at first base thing though? YIKES. That's some Buffalo Sabres level "let's just see what we have" energy, and trust me, that rarely works out well. You're telling me a team with $260 million payroll is rolling with Gavin freaking Sheets as the everyday first baseman? That's embarrassing for a team trying to compete in a division with the Dodgers.

And all those guys heading to the WBC - Machado, Tatis, Bogaerts, Miller, Matsui - that's a LOT of key pieces missing Spring Training reps. I get the national pride thing, but man, that's gonna mess with your preparation.

The silver lining is 2027 and beyond looks way more flexible financially. But Padres fans gotta survive 2026 first with this patchwork roster. Good luck with that - you're gonna need it competing against LA's payroll.
 
2026 Padres Spring Training preview

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PEORIA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 26: An aerial view of the Peoria Sports Complex on February 26, 2021 in Peoria, Arizona. The Peoria Sports Complex is the MLB spring training home for the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria, Ariz. will be very busy beginning Feb. 10 as the San Diego Padres begin their 2026 season with pitchers and catchers reporting for physicals before their first workouts on Feb. 11.

The next day, Feb. 12, is the report date for all Padres players who will be participating in the World Baseball Classic. With the addition of three more relievers this past week, the group now totals eight players/pitchers who will be leaving the team early and reporting to their respective WBC teams. Those Padres are:

  • Manny Machado – Dominican Republic team
  • Fernando Tatis Jr. – Dominican Republic team
  • Xander Bogaerts – Netherlands team
  • Yuki Matsui – Japanese team
  • Mason Miller – USA team
  • Wandy Peralta – Dominican Republic team
  • Ron Marinaccio – Italian team
  • Alek Jacob – Italian team

There will also be three minor league participants, as well as special assistant Mark Loretta who was named as the third base coach for the Israel team.

  • RHP Carlton Loewen – Canadian team
  • LHP Miguel Cienfuegos – Panama team
  • RHP Josh Mallitz – Israel team

The rest of the team is due to report for their first workout on Feb. 15. Jake Cronenworth stated at Padres FanFest on Jan. 31 that he had heard from many teammates who intended to report early to have more time together due to the WBC.

WBC/MLB exhibitions scheduled

There will be exhibition games played between MLB and WBC teams on March 3 and 4 before the WBC officially begins. The Padres will play Team Great Britain on March 4 at 12:10 p.m. PST in Peoria. There will be 28 games played over the two days at various locations.

The first official WBC games start in the Tokyo Dome on March 4 and 5 with other locations beginning March 6. Team USA plays its first game in Houston, Texas versus Brazil on March 6.

Media access on Feb. 10

Media availability for manager Craig Stammen will be Feb. 10 at 8 a.m. PST with coaches Steven Souza (hitting) and Randy Knorr (bench coach) following Stammen. The clubhouse will be open for media on Wednesday.

Spring Breakout games return

MLB will once again hold Spring Breakout games during Spring Training for teams to showcase their top prospects. Those games will take place March 19-22 with a 16-game schedule. The Padres prospects plays the Chicago Cubs prospects on Saturday, March 21 at 6 p.m. PST. Those rosters will be announced after minor league players arrive in camp.

Spring Training schedule

The Padres play their first Spring Training game on March 20 at 12:10 p.m. PST versus the Seattle Mariners in the yearly charity game played at Peoria Sports Complex. They will then play 30 games (split squad included) and finish on March 23. There are no exhibition games this year after they leave Peoria and return to San Diego. The home opener is March 26 versus the Detroit Tigers at Petco Park.

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There are currently 38 players on the 40-man roster with the reported signing of Miguel Andujar not yet official. When that player is added to the roster, the Padres will have one spot available and then will have to make a roster move to add any other players.

Non-roster invites

The organization recently announced 28 players invited to Spring Training who are not on the roster. Those players (NRI’s) include 13 players who were recently added to the organization. There are 13 pitchers, four catchers, seven infielders and four outfielders in the group. It includes the Padres No. 1 prospect Ethan Salas who missed most of the 2025 season due to a stress fracture in his lower back. Following is the full list of NRI:

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RHRP Francis Pena and RHSP Triston McKenzie as well as LHSP Marco Gonzales have the best chances to make big impressions from the group of pitchers. There are others who could be taking a step forward but those three have gotten the most mentions.

Catchers Ethan Salas and Blake Hunt should be followed closely. Hunt is presumably in competition for the backup catching job and was originally drafted by the Padres in 2017. He is a defense-first catcher who was most recently in the Seattle Mariners organization, playing in 25 games for the Mariners.

This will be a pivotal year for Salas, he needs to re-establish himself as a highly regarded prospect after struggling in 2024 and missing most of last season.

The Padres signed infielder Jose Miranda to a minor league deal. Entering his year-28 season, Miranda played in 12 games for Minnesota last season with a .417 OPS. He had a .569 OPS in Triple-A in the Twins organization. He is a candidate for a bounce-back year.

The Padres’ most advanced first base prospect, Romeo Sanabria, gets his first Spring Training invite at 24 years old. He needs to take a step forward this season to be considered an MLB player.

Infielder Marcos Castañon appeared to make advances last season and might stand out this spring.

Outfielders Carlos Rodriguez and Nick Schnell could be auditioning as depth pieces for the Padres. Schnell is 26 and Rodriguez is 25, both are left-handed hitters.

New roster additions

Padres fans should also keep an eye on the two new additions to the 40-man roster from the minor league prospect list. Both righty reliever Garrett Hawkins and right-handed starter Miguel Mendez are likely to show well in Spring Training but probably need a little more seasoning in the minor leagues to begin the season.

Mendez would benefit from added bulk to improve stamina and durability. He took a major step forward with command last year.

Hawkins was a standout with his dominant performance last year but was newly returned to baseball after Tommy John surgery. He has the potential to be a dominant late-inning reliever if he continues progressing on his current path.

I am still waiting for a couple more additions to the team from general manager A.J. Preller. The next few weeks should be an exciting time for Padres fans as we near the 2026 season and enjoy the WBC and spring games as we wait.
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Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-diego-padres-news/53243/2026-padres-spring-training-preview
 
Good Morning San Diego: Spring Training is just days away, several questions remain

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PHOENIX, ARIZONA - AUGUST 06: Jake Cronenworth #9 of the San Diego Padres is tagged out at home plate by James McCann #8 of the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fifth inning at Chase Field on August 06, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. Padres won 3-2. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) | Jake Cronenworth - Getty Images

Spring Training is less than a week away for the San Diego Padres and once again it will not be a normal spring in Peoria, Ariz. The time has come once again for the World Baseball Classic and for the Padres players competing for their respective countries they will have a broken Spring Training. They will start in Peoria, then move onto their respective teams, and then return at the conclusion of their WBC runs. Cheri Bell of Gaslamp Ball gives a breakdown of what the Friar Faithful can expect this spring. She included a comment from one of the longest tenured Padres, Jake Cronenworth, who said some of the San Diego players will report to camp ahead of their scheduled date in order to give them some time to bond prior to WBC players departing to join their teams. We have seen these odd schedules in seasons past for San Diego. All we can do as fans is hope it does not prevent the Padres from accomplishing their regular season and postseason goals, which includes winning a World Series title.

Padres News:

  • General manager A.J. Preller has been referred to as the “Rockstar GM” in seasons past. Padres fans are hoping he can reclaim that title with a significant move to address roster needs prior to Spring Training, but there is not overwhelming confidence it will happen. A recent Padres Reacts Survey on Gaslamp Ball found 49 percent of respondents believe Preller will make a move that has a significant impact on the season prior to Spring Training.
  • Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune provides readers with a breakdown of various possibilities that could take place for the Padres over the next six weeks. Some of the potential happenings listed by Acee are a new contract for Preller, a fifth starter for the rotation and the sale of the team.

Baseball News:

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Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...ng-is-just-days-away-several-questions-remain
 
Mexico wins Caribbean Series

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The Caribbean Series | MLB

The 2025-2026 Winter Leagues were played from November through January in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. Each country had playoffs to determine the championship for their league and those teams advanced to contend for the Caribbean Series.

Venezuela was to play host to the series but it was moved to Mexico due to concerns regarding political issues and player safety. As a result, Venezuela removed their team from the series and the host country had two teams in the tournament.

The Teams

Leones del Escogido, the Dominican champions, had multiple former Padres playing for the league championship. Catcher Martin Maldonado, outfielder Franchy Cordero, and infielder Eguy Rosario all played during their season. Cordero were the only players of the three in the series. RHP Francis Pena, a top prospect for the Padres and a player invited to major league camp, closed the championship game for Escogido. Albert Pujols was their manager.

Canorejeros de Santurce, the Puerto Rican representative, won their league by three games. They had some offensive struggles through the series and finished in third after being eliminated in the semi-finals.

Federales de Chiriqui, the Panama representative, featured former Padre Christian Bethancourt as their catcher. They went 0-4 through the tournament and finished last.

Mexico had two teams in the tournament, with Charros de Jalisco being the winners of the league and Tomateros de Culiacan coming in second and named as the replacement for Venezuela. Charros was Mexico Red and Tomateros was Mexico Green. Padres prospect Tirso Ornelas and his older brother, Julian, both played for Charros but Tirso Ornelas was not with the team for the championship or the series. His brother Julian, also an outfielder, was their No. 2 hitter and finished with a .308 average and .857 OPS.

Benji Gil, former World Series winning major leaguer, is the manager for Mexico Red and coached his own son Mateo Gil for the tournament. He will also be managing the Mexico WBC team next month.

The Mexico Green team featured former Padre Allan Cordoba in center field and newly signed Padre minor league player Luis Verdugo as their shortstop and sometime DH. Verdugo is the older brother of Padres prospect Rosman Verdugo, 20, who is an infielder in the system and played for Fort Wayne last season. Verdugo finished with a .381/.409/.476 line. Catcher Ali Solis played for the Padres in 2012 and is still catching for Mexico.

The Series

The Caribbean Series is a round-robin tournament with the teams with the best records advancing and featured the Dominican, Puerto Rican and both Mexico teams in the semi-finals on Friday. The Escogido team went in as the favorites, as defending champions and with multiple MLB prospects playing on the team. They started 3-0 and then lost two in a row, including the semifinal game against Mexico Green. The Mexico Red team defeated Puerto Rico in the other semifinal.

As a result, the two Mexico teams played in the championship game that went more than four hours and 10 innings before Mexico Red won on two wild pitches in the bottom of the 10th inning. The tournament was played in Jalisco, Mexico at over 5,000 feet of altitude so the whole series featured lots of hits and lots of runs.

The final ended 12-11 and featured a lot of tired pitchers struggling to land strikes. Former Padre Odrisamer Despaigne pitched for Mexico Green but also had difficulty getting strikes despite having done very well for six innings in his start four days earlier. He only got through 0.2 innings and allowed four earned runs.

During his time with Charros de Jalisco, Tirso Ornelas hit .236/.300/.292 in 21 games and 80 appearances with seven RBI. His inability to hit for power is what has primarily sidelined his attempt to break into the Padres 26-man roster and he had no home runs and four doubles for Mexico.

Many of these players will also be playing in the WBC and then there will be a Summer League that most of the players also participate in. It isn’t uncommon for many of these players to play almost year-round.
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Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-diego-padres-analysis-commentary/53259/mexico-wins-caribbean-series
 
Good Morning San Diego: Football season comes to close, baseball is around the corner

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ZAPOPAN, MEXICO - FEBRUARY 7: Players of Mexico (Red) celebrate winning the 2026 Caribbean Series Final game between Mexico (Green) and Mexico (Red) at Estadio Charros on February 7, 2026 in Zapopan, Mexico. (Photo by Luis Gutierrez/ Norte Photo/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Super Bowl Sunday brings closure to the football season and is the unofficial start to the baseball season. Fans across the country put away their pigskins and pickup their mitts knowing the crack of the bat is just days away. For teams competing in the Caribbean Series, the sweet sounds have baseball have been heard for weeks and while Super Bowl LX took the top headlines two teams from Mexico battled it out in the championship to determine who would take the Caribbean Series title this weekend. Cheri Bell of Gaslamp Ball provides the news you need to know from the series, including which Padres or former Padres were competing for the crown.

Baseball News:

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Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...-comes-to-close-baseball-is-around-the-corner
 
Why the signing of Miguel Andujar should excite the Friar Faithful

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San Diego Padres Miguel Andujar (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images

No one would argue the San Diego Padres’ biggest offseason need was upgrading the depth of the starting rotation. But it would not hurt to add another bat to the mix. Well, the Friar Faithful should be excited about the recent free agent signing of Miguel Andujar.

No question, the Padres have added a proven bat in Andujar. Scouts describe him as one of the top contact hitters in baseball without a natural position. His presence should provide stability at the designated hitter position or off the bench. It was something that was missing from the roster last season.

All of Andujar’s faults are fixable​


Andujar is not the smoothest fielder, but he will not embarrass you if called upon to play in the field. He does have a strong, accurate arm, but poor footwork and a lack of range have made him a defensive liability.
Possibly, a change of scenery and working with a new coaching staff could unlock his potential as a defender. Spring Training provides a setting where Andujar can transform into a serviceable utility player.

The Friars are not expecting him to play the field every day, but part of his role is to give Manny Machado, Ramon Laureano, and Fernando Tatis Jr. an occasional day off. Keeping them fresh will come in handy during the grind of a major league season.

Another aspect that needs improvement is his below average baserunning skills. Andujar is labeled a station-to-station runner because he fails to get a good lead off the bag. This might be the season where he becomes more aggressive in taking an extra base to put himself in scoring position.

Let’s not kid ourselves, Andujar is in San Diego for one reason — to hit​


The right-handed hitter batted .318/.352/.470 with 10 HR and 44 RBI in 94 games with the Athletics and Cincinnati Reds last season. It was his best offensive production since his rookie season in 2018. Andujar hit .297/.328/.527 with 27 HR and 97 RBI in 149 games with the New York Yankees.

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The Friars expect his bat to shine in the bottom third of the batting order. Andujar’s power numbers will not jump out at you, but he can drive a ball into the gaps with runners in scoring position. There is room for improvement, as Andujar’s bat control is too good to not be able to provide more production at the plate. The Padres’ offense has been missing another proven bat for too long.

It is time for Andujar to outperform his career batting numbers. The Friar Faithful are hoping for his 2026 results to be promising. If so, the Padres should have a very successful season.
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Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/gaslamp...guel-andujar-should-excite-the-friar-faithful
 
Good Morning San Diego: Pitchers, catchers report to Spring Training amid uncertainty about both groups

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Mar 11, 2025; Peoria, Arizona, USA; San Diego Padres pitcher Dylan Cease greets teammates against the Chicago White Sox during a spring training game at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Pitchers and catchers report to Peoria, Ariz. today to open Spring Training for the San Diego Padres. There are still questions about both groups and there are several ways to get answers according to Lincoln Zdunich of Gaslamp Ball. Will the fourth and fifth starters be players already on the Padres roster or will someone be added via free agency or trade? Does Luis Campusano finally fulfill the expectations that have allowed him to be one of very few minor leaguers under San Diego general manager A.J. Preller to remain in the system and not be traded elsewhere? These questions and others will be addressed in the coming weeks and with camp opening for the Padres we can officially say baseball is back.

Padres News:

  • Miguel Andujar might not have been what the Friar Faithful wanted, but he is what we got – for now. Thomas Conroy of Gaslamp Ball says fans should be excited about the signing and adds the Padres are in a better place with Andujar in the lineup than they were last year with the likes of Jason Heyward and Connor Joe.
  • AJ Cassavell of Padres.com took a look at the players on the 40-man roster and took a shot at building the roster that Padres fans might see when the team opens the regular season. Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune performed the same exercise as both writers attempted to forecast their best guesses for manager Craig Stammen’s 2026 team.
  • Speaking of Stammen, he opens his first season with the Padres as the manager after he got the position following a lengthy search, which included candidates like Ruben Niebla and Albert Pujols. Stammen pitched out of the bullpen for San Diego and has never coached at the big-league level and will now lead his former team from the top step of the dugout. He is already getting support from players like Joe Musgrove, Gavin Sheets, Michael King and Jake Cronenworth, but as Stammen recently stated, he hasn’t had to make a decision yet.

Baseball News:

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Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...g-training-amid-uncertainty-about-both-groups
 
Padres look to small additions to step up in major way

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PEORIA, ARIZONA - MARCH 11: Gavin Sheets #30 of the San Diego Padres rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Chicago White Sox during the fifth inning of a spring training game at Peoria Stadium on March 11, 2025 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The San Diego Padres still have a lot to determine as Spring Training kicks off with their game against the Seattle Mariners on Feb. 20. Among the 28 non-roster invites the Friars extended, surely one of them will be the next Gavin Sheets – someone who will go on a tear this spring and surprise us all by becoming a major contributor to the big-league club. So, who are these candidates? Here’s two possibilities: one pitcher and one position player.

Marco Gonzales​


While not the most inspiring offseason pickup by the Padres, there is a hopefulness surrounding Marco Gonzales’ return to the majors. In late August of 2024, Gonzales underwent surgery to repair the flexor tendon in his left elbow, which kept him out for the entire 2025 season. It’s hard to say exactly what is expected of the 33-year-old veteran as he enters his 11th season, but there are some interesting markers to watch for this spring.

Percentage of pitches thrown for strikes​


Gonzales has shown throughout his career that he has a fantastic ability to pepper the strike zone. Throughout his 10 seasons in MLB, his lowest mark was 62% of pitches thrown for strikes (S%). Since then, he has averaged 67%.

Padres fans may remember Dylan Cease as a starter known for his strikeout numbers (200 Ks in five straight seasons). But Cease’s career high in S% came in at 63%, four percent lower than Gonzales’ career average.

Now, obviously, anyone can throw it down the middle (if that was the measurement of elite pitching I could be on the mound). The important thing is being able to dance around the corners of the zone. That’s why pitchers like Cease are able to achieve high strikeout numbers where Gonzales has never reached more than 147 Ks (2019). But with the help of pitching coach Ruben Niebla, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Gonzales turn into the strikeout artist he seems poised to become in San Diego.

Double play opportunities​


That being said, an interesting stat to note with Gonzales is his ability to induce double play opportunities (GIDPO). In the seasons he made 30-plus starts (2019 and 2022), he managed to induce 134 and 105 opportunities, respectively.

To put that into perspective, Framber Valdez and Cristopher Sanchez (two of the best ground ball pitchers in the sport) have only managed to reach a max of 121 and 108 GIDPO, respectively.

Unfortunately, in 2019 Gonzales found himself on a Seattle Mariners team ranked 28th in defensive metrics, so only 22 of those 134 opportunities were actually converted into double plays. In 2022 the Mariners defense was quite good but seemed to be cursed when Gonzales took the mound, making crucial errors and again converting only 17 of 105 opportunities.

Thankfully Gonzales won’t have that problem in San Diego. The Padres had elite defense in 2025, with a .991 fielding percentage. And with middle infielders Xander Bogaerts and Jake Cronenworth returning, it’s difficult to imagine the Friars being unable to provide defensive support for Gonzales.

Nick Solak​


Who knew both of these candidates would come from the Pittsburgh Pirates? Nick Solak represents the Padres’ next-best option at first base, and (in my opinion) is ready for a Gavin Sheets-esque renaissance.

Solak decimated minor-league pitching in the Pirates’ system last year. He ended the season with a .332/.411/.492 slash line. But his time with the big-league club was far worse, going 1-for-11 at the plate. That’s obviously a small sample size, and he will get more opportunities this spring to prove himself. But there’s one particular stat of note.

Splits versus lefties​


Solak mashes against lefties. His career major league slash line versus left-handed pitchers is .255/.319/.394 compared to .182/.249/.251 against right-handers. That does include outliers like the shortened 2020 season and the meager 11 at-bats in 2025. But removing those doesn’t change the fact that, every single year, Solak has performed far better against lefties than righties.

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*no plate appearances in 2023 and spent all of 2024 in the minors

Throughout his career, Solak has managed to produce incredible results against lefties (something the Padres have struggled with mightily in recent years). If he’s able to match or increase his past levels of production, perhaps Solak starts against left-handed pitchers — forming a platoon at first base with Sheets.

Whether Gonzales and Solak can put it together remains to be seen. Neither of them have managed to so far in their combined 17 years of MLB experience. But however Spring Training shakes out for these players, the excitement is palpable with San Diego’s first game of 2026 fast approaching.
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Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/gaslamp...ok-to-small-additions-to-step-up-in-major-way
 
Good Morning San Diego: New philosophical approach could benefit Padres in 2026

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WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 13: Craig Stammen #35 of the San Diego Padres during batting practice prior to a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Nationals Park on August 13, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

San Diego Padres pitchers and catchers reported to Peoria, Ariz. to open Spring Training for the 2026 season. Manager Craig Stammen, bench coach Randy Knorr and hitting coach Steven Souza Jr. all took questions from the media and at least sounded like they were on the same page. Position players Xander Bogaerts , Jackson Merrill, Jake Cronenworth, Gavin Sheets and Ramon Laureano reported to camp early and took swings on the backfields. Cheri Bell of Gaslamp Ball looks at the potential philosophical differences between the 2025 team and the 2026 and how that could impact the results this season.

Padres News:

  • Lincoln Zdunich of Gaslamp Ball predicts two minor league signings who could make an impact at the major league level. While many Padres fans are hoping a reunion between Triston McKenzie and Ruben Niebla could produce a capable backend starter, Zdunich makes the argument for Marco Gonzales to be the breakout arm. He also tabs Nick Solak as the player to watch of the position player group.
  • New Padres hitting coach Souza Jr. told the media one of his goals is to have his hitters be more aggressive in the zone, adding that they will have to adjust their approach from game to game or park to park rather than using a one-size fits all philosophy.
  • San Diego would like to add to its rotation and the rumor Tuesday was the Padres were showing interest in free agent starter Zac Gallen. Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune says that type of signing is not likely unless the price for Gallen drops much lower. But Acee said he does expect the Padres to add an arm soon.
  • Jason Adam is ahead of schedule regarding his recovery from surgery following a ruptured quadriceps tendon. He wants to pitch as soon as possible, but Stammen stated he and the team will take a cautious and methodical approach to getting Adam back on the field.
  • Dennis Lin of The Athletic poses three questions for the Padres as Spring Training opens. The first is about the potential sale of the team, the second is whether general manager A.J. Preller will receive a contract extension and the third is whether the Preller and the Padres can add to their roster with bargain bin finds.

Baseball News:

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Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...ophical-approach-could-benefit-padres-in-2026
 
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