News Padres Team Notes

[San Diego Padres]

Padres make mid-season adjustments

Ryan Bergert | Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images

More injuries and a suspension

It is the middle of the 2025 MLB season and the San Diego Padres have a 4-2 record in their latest home stand with an overall record of 44-36, 8 games over .500 and a half game back of the San Francisco Giants for the final Wild Card spot.

They have completed their 26 games in 27 days stretch leading up to the half-way point and played .500 over those games. It hasn’t always been pretty but they seem to be earning their nickname “Grit Squad” with some hard fought wins and some really disappointing losses. For this stretch there were three teams with under .500 records and four teams with over .500 records, they faced the Dodgers twice.

The actual 81 game mark comes on Friday versus the Cincinnati Reds but this seems a good spot to pause and take stock of where the team stands.

Pitching

With starters Michael King and Yu Darvish on the IL, with no time line for their return yet, and Ryan Bergert being placed on the 15-day IL with a contusion on his right arm, the Padres seemingly must dip down into the minors again to supplement the starting rotation.

Matt Waldron has pitched well with El Paso and Kyle Hart has not. It seems clear that Waldron will be next man up when Bergert’s spot in the rotation comes up next week. With the off day on Thursday, June 26, it would be good to give all the starters an extra day of rest. If that is the approach, Bergert would be scheduled to start on Tuesday. Reliever Sean Reynolds was called up to take the open pitcher’s spot on the roster in the mean time.

Reynolds was not needed in Wednesday’s game and will be fresh to go Friday when Dylan Cease should be the starter. For these two games the Padres are working with a 12-man pitching staff due to the suspension of closer Robert Suarez for hitting Shohei Ohtani last week. He had filed an appeal of the suspension but dropped the appeal when the suspension was reduced from three games to two games.

There have been some improved performances with the starters over the past few games with Randy Vasquez, Dylan Cease and Nick Pivetta able to pitch deeper into games and the bullpen has responded with some held leads during the home stand. The bullpen ERA is 3.30, tied for 7th in baseball.

Offense

The lineup has a team average of .248, 13th in baseball. Their OPS is .695, 22nd in baseball. They have only 69 home runs, 26th in baseball. If they want to be one of the six best teams at the end of the season, those numbers will need to improve. Warmer weather throughout the country should help with the home runs but this team has to hit better overall.

Gavin Sheets is doing a good job as the DH but he is also having to play left field regularly after the team released Jason Heyward. He is splitting time with bench players, Tyler Wade and Bryce Johnson. That is not enough offensive production for that position, especially considering how little they get from the catcher position. The promotion of Trenton Brooks is not a sufficient solution to their bench, second DH or left field problems. He is a 29 year-old career minor league player who is here only because there was really no one else.

Change the line up

Manager Mike Shildt has begun some lineup adjustments to try and spark more offense. This is a move many have been asking for over the past month. The lineup has changed twice over the last four games. Luis Arraez has gone from batting second to batting fourth to leading off. Fernando Tatis Jr has bat first and then went to fourth. Jackson Merrill and Manny Machado switched spots between two and three. Using the same lineup and in the same order wasn’t getting it done so mixing it up is a welcome change.

Bogaerts shoulder

Shortstop Xander Bogaerts has been making better choices and hitting the ball to better spots but then slid into home plate Tuesday night and now has another sore shoulder. According to Shildt’s update in the Wednesday post-game presser, he is day-to-day and should be okay after taking Wednesday off with Thursday an off day for the team.

Until Head of Baseball Operations AJ Preller is able to make some personnel moves to supplement the roster, adjusting the daily lineup and going all-out to protect leads is about the only moves the organization can make. There is some pitching depth available to them but there is no offensive help coming from the minor leagues. The better prospects are still another season away, at best.

The Padres seem to be waiting for more teams to decide if they are buyers or sellers on the trade market. When that situation gets clarified, then an upgrade in left field and a bat for the bench should be the priority.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/6/25/24455991/padres-make-mid-season-adjustments

 

[San Diego Padres]

Padres want to close the book on Juan Soto trade, Nats’ young star adds to the story

Washington Nationals James Wood | Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images

Former top prospect, James Wood, went 3-13 with a HR and 6 RBIs in his first series at Petco Park.

The San Diego Padres and the Washington Nationals will forever be linked because of the Juan Soto trade. This week’s three-game set did not need more fireworks, as one of the cornerstone pieces from the Nats’ perspective, James Wood, was making his Petco Park debut. This is where the controversy begins, as the Friar Faithful can still envision him in a Padres uniform.

Let’s go back in time​

It has been quite a rollercoaster ride since the Padres and Nationals pulled off that stunning trade deadline deal in 2022. The Friars cleaned out the top prospects from their talent pool to acquire the best generational player in the sport. Few teams would pass on the opportunity to obtain Soto, who is on a clear path to the Hall of Fame.

The media declared the Padres were the winners of the mega-deal as they catapulted themselves into World Series title contention. All agreed it would take three seasons before determining the value of what the Nationals received in return for Soto.

No need to rehash Soto’s time in San Diego, but he batted .265 with 41 HRs and 125 RBIs in 214 games. The inconsistent production suggested the Friars may have overspent to acquire him.

Both sides benefited from the blockbuster trade​

The Friar Faithful is frustrated that the team is still searching for an everyday left-fielder. They contend the Padres would be a better team with Wood in the lineup. You cannot disagree, as the Friars are using complementary players who are struggling to produce.

Team president of baseball operations and general manager A.J. Preller put all of his chips in the middle of the table to make the blockbuster trade. He knew team general manager Mike Rizzo wanted players who were major league-ready in exchange for Soto. He finalized the deal that put the Padres in the conversation for a postseason berth.

The Nats are pleased with what they received from San Diego, as CJ Abrams, MacKenzie Gore, and Wood are all making contributions this season. But all eyes are on Wood because his potential is enormous.

Wood is a special talent​

From the moment he arrived, Wood has not succumbed to the pressures associated with Major League Baseball. He has proven to be on the brink of a fine career. It is his swing that draws all the attention.

Last season, Wood batted .264 with 9 HRs and 41 RBIs in 79 games. 2025 has seen him just burst out of the starting gate by hitting .284 with 22 HRs and 61 RBIs in 81 games. You have to be impressed with his approach at the plate. Whether he is pulling a pitch to right field or taking it to the opposite way. Wood gets everyone’s attention during his at-bats.

No one could have predicted the void in left field, as it is easy to picture Wood being the solution. On paper, the Friars would have boasted two of the youngest and brightest left-handed hitters (Jackson Merrill and Wood) in baseball. But games are not played on paper. Acquiring Soto stamped the franchise as a legitimate postseason contender. Having assembled a competitive roster, Preller was deemed a baseball executive not afraid to make the big move.

Yes, the Soto trade has aged poorly. It is not about trading for him but rather the cost of acquiring Soto. The first deal can be categorized as an “all-in” trade, as the All-Star outfielder was the last piece of the puzzle in Preller’s mind. The second Soto trade was all about recouping some of your original investment before the potential of him leaving town as a free agent became real.

Roster turnover happens every day in baseball. Front offices must decide which players are an ideal fit for the roster, but that evaluation can change quickly.

The Padres have a competitive team, as they have not fallen through a trapdoor. Is the roster perfect? No, but the roster is good enough to make a run in October.

It is time for the Friar Faithful to move on.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/6/...-soto-trade-nats-young-star-adds-to-the-story

 

[San Diego Padres]

Padres Yu Darvish making progress but return date to still unknown

San Diego Padres Yu Darvish | Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images

The Friars ace has yet to debut in the 2025 season.

The San Diego Padres suffered a devastating one-two punch to their starting rotation this season. First, Yu Darvish suffered elbow inflammation in spring training that ruled him out indefinitely, and Michael King has been sidelined with a pinched nerve in his right shoulder since late May. Let’s not forget that Joe Musgrove has yet to throw a pitch in 2025, as he is recovering from Tommy John surgery.

However, there might be light at the end of the tunnel for the Padres’ starting rotation. The front office confirmed Darvish faced hitters in a simulated game this week in Lake Elsinore. He threw three innings and gave up three hits, no runs, one walk, and struck out six batters on 51 pitches.

Kevin Acee wrote this morning “Yu Darvish is expected to throw in the bullpen here this weekend before it is decided what his next step will be. The expectation is that he will make a minor-league rehab start, but the Padres continue to not push the veteran right-hander. The important thing, team sources continue to insist, is that he returns to pitch well in the season’s final two months and the playoffs.”

Darvish is the lone architect of his rehab plan​

If you remember, the Friars offered no timeline for Darvish to rejoin the starting rotation. It will be up to him, as there is no better source than Darvish to determine the course of rehabilitation needed for his return to the active roster.

He took a big step in his rehab by making a start with Triple-A El Paso in mid-May. However, everyone’s enthusiasm turned to despair when Darvish experienced some elbow discomfort following the start. Team doctors shut down his rehab program until the pain subsided.

Neither the Padres nor Darvish have confirmed if he will throw another simulated game. If there is no physical setback, Darvish could return to the mound by early July.

Darvish could be an impactful second-half contributor​

With both Darvish and King on the shelf, The Friars have relied heavily on Dylan Cease and Nick Pivetta. Cease has been up and down all season, while Pivetta has responded with an outstanding first campaign in brown and gold after signing as a free agent before the start of spring training.

At 8-2 with a 3.36 ERA, Pivetta has become the team’s de facto No. 1 starter until Darvish returns to action. He has nine quality starts in 16 games started this season. The return of Darvish guarantees the Padres will have two starters who pitch deep into games.

The right-hander’s Friars career can be defined by him tossing six innings every fifth day. Rarely does the bullpen have to clean up his mess of leaving multiple runners on the bases.

His pitch count is around 100, so Darvish must be economical to be credited with a quality start. And when he is not on, Darvish is crafty enough to keep the damage to a minimum. His control is still one of the best in the majors, as Darvish’s walk rate was 6.6 % in 2024, which was well below the league average of 8.4 %.

Darvish has several release points that create deception for his four-seam fastball at the top of the strike zone. It is still a frontline pitch, as he can reach 94-95 MPH when an out is needed to thwart a potential rally. Last season, Darvish allowed 39.9 % hard-hit balls while striking out 23.6 % of batters faced. He must continue to limit contact to be an effective pitcher in 2025.

His pitching repertoire allows Darvish to remain unpredictable against opposing lineups. He effectively uses the slider, sinker, sweeper, split finger, and curveball to record outs. His approach on the mound is why he remains one of the best at his position.

Injuries and age may have limited his availability, but Darvish’s pitching arsenal allows him to be a strong middle-of-the-rotation candidate.

Without delay, he is on track to make a difference in the second half of the 2025 season.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/6/...ing-progress-but-return-date-to-still-unknown

 

[San Diego Padres]

Good Morning San Diego: Gavin Sheets shows improvement in LF

Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images

Everything you need to know about your San Diego Padres on the morning of June 29, 2025.

Gavin Sheets lays out! pic.twitter.com/Nv5vh1bHxK

— Talking Friars (@TalkingFriars) June 28, 2025​

Gavin Sheets for the lead! pic.twitter.com/quLINvmYss

— Talking Friars (@TalkingFriars) June 28, 2025​

Gavin Sheets, as he's being showered with Holy Sheets chants in Cincy, tells Don and Mud he's been working in the outfield every day with David Macias pic.twitter.com/F8SgK0gw76

— Talking Friars (@TalkingFriars) June 28, 2025​

Articles to read​

Padres slug their way past Reds (Matt DeWalt, Gaslamp Ball)

Padres Yu Darvish making progress but return date to still unknown (Thomas Conroy, Gaslamp Ball)

Padres Minor League Update: Week 13 (Cheri Bell, Gaslamp Ball)

Michael King begins ‘progression’ toward pitching again (Kevin Acee, SD U-T)

Luis Arraez, Jake Cronenworth, Gavin Sheets homer as Padres power way back to even series against Reds (Kevin Acee, SD U-T)

Sheets’ all-around effort key as bats break out in comeback win (Mike Petraglia, MLB.com)

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/6/...an-diego-gavin-sheets-shows-improvement-in-lf

 

[San Diego Padres]

San Diego drops final game of series to Cincinnati, 3-2

Luis Arraez walks off the field as Will Benson celebrates game-winning hit. | Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images

Robert Suarez gives up two runs, Padres walked off by Reds

Robert Suarez came on in the bottom of the ninth inning looking to add another save to his season total and to secure another win for the San Diego Padres over the Cincinnati Reds. He walked off the mound and the field with a blown save and a loss as the Reds came from behind to earn a 3-2 walk-off win at Great American Ballpark, Sunday.

Elly De La Cruz reached on an error by Tyler Wade at third base to start the bottom of the ninth inning. Suarez got Austin Hays to fly out to left-center field for the first out of the inning. Suarez then allowed a four-pitch walk to Gavin Lux and faced Spencer Steer with the tying run at second base and the winning run on first.

Steer lined a ball through the middle of the infield and into center field. A strong throw from Jackson Merrill to Elias Diaz at the plate just missed De La Cruz and the Reds tied the game, 2-2. With runners at first and second, Suarez allowed a single to Jose Trevino to load the bases with one out for Will Benson.

Benson hit a line drive down the right field line that landed just inside the foul line and allowed Lux to score from third base to give the Reds a 3-2 walk-off win.

Will Benson walks it off for the @Reds! pic.twitter.com/CRniPrC8rv

— MLB (@MLB) June 29, 2025​

The Padres and Reds battled back and forth throughout the game. They were tied 1-1 in the top of the seventh inning when the Padres loaded the bases with a walk by Fernando Tatis Jr., a double by Xander Bogaerts and an intentional walk to Gavin Sheets.

Jose Iglesias came to the plate as the first batter to face Reds reliever Tony Santillan, who replaced Lyon Richardson after the intentional walk to Sheets. Iglesias hit a slow ground ball to Cincinnati second baseman Matt McLain, who threw to De La Cruz at second to force out Sheets. The return throw from De La Cruz to first base was late, allowing Iglesias to reach safely. It also allowed Tatis Jr. to score from third to give San Diego a 2-1 lead.

Padres have a 2-1 lead pic.twitter.com/CAjARKjumx

— Talking Friars (@TalkingFriars) June 29, 2025​

De La Cruz tied the game in bottom of sixth inning with an RBI-single to left field off Adrian Morejon, which allowed Will Benson to cross the plate to make the score 1-1. Benson started the inning against Padres starter Stephen Kolek with a walk. Kolek then got the next two batters to pop out and fly out. He allowed a single to McLain to put two runners on for De La Cruz to set up the game-tying hit off Morejon.

#Padres 1 @ #Reds 1 [B6–2o]:

Elly De La Cruz singles: ground ball to LF
Hit: 95.8mph, 13ft, -12°, .184xBA

Pitch: 86.7mph Slider (LHP A.Morejon)#ForTheFaithful #ATOBTTR #MLB pic.twitter.com/xRV6RtDB80

— MLB Run Videos (@MLBRBIs) June 29, 2025​

Kolek completed 5 2/3 innings and allowed one run on three hits with one walk and five strikeouts.

Cincinnati threatened to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth inning, but came up empty. Jason Adam came in from the bullpen and allowed a leadoff double to Benson. Christian Encarnacion-Strand hit a deep fly to center, which was caught by Merrill. It allowed Benson to tag up and advance to third. Adam then got TJ Friedl to groundout to first base and he ended the inning with a strikeout of McLain to maintain the one-run lead for San Diego.

Jason Adam now has the 2nd best ERA (1.69) in all of Major League Baseball (min. 40 IP) pic.twitter.com/XbgxtriVgR

— Al Scott (@AlScott1998) June 29, 2025​

The first run of the game for the Padres came in the top of the fourth inning when Xander Bogaerts hit a solo home run to left-center to put San Diego up, 1-0. Bogaerts would have had a chance to hit in the bottom of the ninth with Tatis Jr. on base after a walk, but suffered a “severe cramp,” and forced Tyler Wade to pinch-hit, resulting in a grounded out.

Boom. pic.twitter.com/BkQAfuL5Ef

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 29, 2025​

The Padres finished the game without recording a hit with runners in scoring position and finished 0-for-13 in that category.

San Diego travels to Philadelphia to take on the Phillies, Monday at 3:35 p.m.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/6/...-drops-final-game-of-series-to-cincinnati-3-2

 

[San Diego Padres]

Game 84: San Diego Padres at Philadelphia Phillies

Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images

Your game thread for June 30, 2025.

San Diego Padres at Philadelphia Phillies, June 30, 2025, 3:35 p.m. PST​

Location: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA

Watch: Padres TV

Listen: 97.3 The Fan

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Please remember our Game Day thread guidelines.

• Don’t troll in your comments; create conversation rather than destroying it
• Remember Gaslamp Ball is basically a non-profanity site
• Out of respect to broadcast partners who have paid to carry the game, no mentions of “alternative” (read: illegal) viewing methods are allowed in our threads
• The commenting system was updated during the offseason. They’re still working on optimizing it for Game Day Threads like ours. If you don’t like clicking “Load More Comments”, remember that the “Z” key can be your friend. It loads up the latest comments automatically.

GB community, this is your thread for today’s game. Enjoy!

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/6/30/24458138/game-84-san-diego-padres-at-philadelphia-phillies

 

[San Diego Padres]

Good Morning San Diego: Padres blanked by Phillies in Waldron’s return

Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

Everything you need to know about your San Diego Padres on the morning of July 1, 2025.

Articles to read​

Padres Reacts Survey: Does it make sense to trade Robert Suarez? Please participate!

Padres dominated by Zack Wheeler, Phillies (Matt DeWalt, Gaslamp Ball)

Answering your Padres questions: Pitching problems, the trade deadline and future free agents (Dennis Lin, The Athletic)

Padres Daily: Desperate times, desperate measures; Jackson Merrill’s catch; catchers (Kevin Acee, SD U-T)

Zack Wheeler, Phillies shut out Padres in series opener (Kevin Acee, SD U-T)

Padres’ Leo De Vries headed to All-Star Futures Game (Jeff Sanders, SD U-T)

Tom Krasovic: A.J. Preller’s Padres don’t appear to have much purchasing power as trade deadline nears (SD U-T)

Padres minors: Omar Cruz, relievers pitch El Paso to win (Jeff Sanders, SD U-T)

Fab Friar! Merrill’s HR robbery so good he needed to show proof (AJ Cassavell, MLB.com)

Vote Manny Machado for starting 3B in the All-Star Game (MLB.com)

Can Machado reach 3,000 hits, 500 HRs? His pace looks good (AJ Cassavell, MLB.com)

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/7/...padres-blanked-by-phillies-in-waldrons-return

 

[San Diego Padres]

Games 85 and 86: San Diego Padres at Philadelphia Phillies

Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images

Your doubleheader game threads for July 2, 2025.

San Diego Padres at Philadelphia Phillies, July 2, 2025, 10:05 a.m. PST and 3:15 p.m. PST​

Location: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA

Watch: Padres TV

Listen: 97.3 The Fan

Yesterday’s postponed game will be played as the second game today.

Doubleheader on deck. pic.twitter.com/xMDwGq4qC3

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 2, 2025​

---

Please remember our Game Day thread guidelines.

• Don’t troll in your comments; create conversation rather than destroying it
• Remember Gaslamp Ball is basically a non-profanity site
• Out of respect to broadcast partners who have paid to carry the game, no mentions of “alternative” (read: illegal) viewing methods are allowed in our threads
• The commenting system was updated during the offseason. They’re still working on optimizing it for Game Day Threads like ours. If you don’t like clicking “Load More Comments”, remember that the “Z” key can be your friend. It loads up the latest comments automatically.

GB community, this is your thread for today’s game. Enjoy!

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/7/...-86-san-diego-padres-at-philadelphia-phillies

 

[San Diego Padres]

Demote Robert Suarez, promote Adrian Morejon to get Padres back on track

San Diego Padres Adrian Morejon | Photo by Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

It is time for a change at the closer position.

The San Diego Padres have to be concerned about the state of their bullpen. Too many blown leads late in games as closer Robert Suarez cannot control the strike zone. Often, those mistakes resulted in a loss.

Right now, the Padres do not have much of a choice other than demoting Suarez and promoting Adrian Morejon to the closer role.

Suarez’s struggles in 2025​

Suarez has recorded three blown saves in 37 appearances, as his ERA has ballooned to 3.89. Hardly the number you expect from one of baseball’s top closers. All is not well, as mistake pitches are coming more abundantly than normal for Suarez.

Some may argue that those missed opportunities are a direct result of an overworked bullpen. But it is hard to overuse a closer, as they work one inning a night. The Padres will claim his velocity is good, but the opposition is putting good swings on him.

This season, there has been an uptick in the rate of hard-hit balls (43.8%) and line drives (28.9%) given up by Suarez. Both are career highs, as he has been hit the hardest over the last month. Suarez recorded a 7.84 ERA in June, but his performance numbers were alarming over the last two weeks. He has a 9.00 ERA and squandered several leads.

Suarez has struggled, leaving too many pitches over the plate that have resulted in extra-base hits. It is a trend that needs to be addressed, or the season will be lost.

Morejon blossomed into a key bullpen piece​

Morejon has blossomed into a key setup reliever out of the bullpen. The left-hander is on the mound in crucial moments during an eventual win. His role could expand if Suarez continues to struggle as the closer.

No fan should be surprised by his ability to adapt. He has gone from being a top international free agent signee to rehabbing from Tommy John surgery to becoming a dominant force in the bullpen.

Morejon has a 1.96 ERA in 40 appearances and has held opponents to a .179 batting average. His velocity generates more swing-and-misses and fewer pitches being fouled off. Morejon has struck out 22.9% of the batters faced this season.

It is time for Morejon to get his first taste of being a closer. The switch will provide a much-needed boost to the team.

It is crucial to stabilize the bullpen. All the adversity that has taken place in his professional career has prepared Morejon for this moment. The time is right for the Padres to make the move.

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If you have an opinion on Suarez, head over to our poll for the week to cast your vote!

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/7/...te-adrian-morejon-to-get-padres-back-on-track

 

[San Diego Padres]

Fan Survey Results: Does it make sense to trade Robert Suarez?

Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images

Gaslamp Ball readers let their thoughts be known in this week’s poll!

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

Earlier this week Padres fans were given the chance to vote on if they thought it makes sense to trade closer Robert Suarez. The results are in!

Not gonna lie. 78% is surprising. I thought it was going to be lower. There may be some fans though that aren’t in favor of trading Suarez but they understand the case to do so, so they voted yes. But still, there’s got to be some fans that are fine with trading him.

The case to deal him is this...​

He’s about to be 35 and do you want to be on the hook for $16 million the next two seasons if he decides to opt into the deal? The Padres should know more than a fan like me and maybe they think he’s going to test free agency and there are teams out there that would love to have Suarez—even if it’s just for the rest of this season.

The bullpen still would have Adrian Morejon, Jason Adam and Jeremiah Estrada at the back and A.J. Preller would be able to get a starting caliber player back that could help the offense.

The case to keep him...​

I’m more on the side of keeping Suarez. The 4.04 ERA doesn’t look great but he’s still one of the save leaders in baseball and when he’s on, he can get anybody out. There were the struggles of September last year that had fans worried but then what happened? He didn’t give up a run in his three postseason appearances.

There are struggles this year but if he gets his command back then those pitches won’t be hit as well as they have been because they won’t be catching that much of the plate.

And let’s say he’s on his game when it matters the most. I’d much rather have four dominant relievers than three when starters don’t go as deep into games as they may be able to in the regular season.

If he opts in after this season, $8 million a year isn’t the end of the world for a guy that can hit 101 to end a game.

101 UP TOP TO END IT pic.twitter.com/UAvozLOKNb

— Talking Friars (@TalkingFriars) July 2, 2025​

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The results of this survey were brought to you by FanDuel.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/7/...lts-does-it-make-sense-to-trade-robert-suarez

 

[San Diego Padres]

Good Morning San Diego: Manny’s quest to 2,000 hits continues back at home

Everything you need to know about your San Diego Padres on the morning of July 4, 2025.

Articles to read​

Padres notes: two-win road trip as they cling to Wild Card spot (Cheri Bell, Gaslamp Ball)

Fan Survey Results: Does it make sense to trade Robert Suarez? (me)

Padres’ Manny Machado has played (and played and played) his way to baseball milestone (Kevin Acee, SD U-T)

Justin Verlander’s outlook, Royals eye Bryan Reynolds and more notes: Rosenthal (The Athletic)

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/7/...nys-quest-to-2000-hits-continues-back-at-home

 

[San Diego Padres]

Padres provide fireworks on Fourth of July, walk-off Rangers

Jake Cronenworth celebrates game-winning hit. | Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images

Jake Cronenworth delivers game-winning hit to drive in Jackson Merrill in 10th

The San Diego Padres had the bases loaded with one out in the bottom of the 10th inning and Xander Bogaerts cramped up on a first-pitch strike. Bogaerts came out of the game and that gave Bryce Johnson an opportunity to put the ball in play and send the Friar Faithful home happy. Instead, Johnson struck out and thrust Jake Cronenworth into the role of hero.

Cronenworth delivered a single into right field on a 2-1 pitch from Texas Rangers reliever Robert Garcia, which drove in Jackson Merrill from third base and gave the Padres a 3-2 walk-off win over the Rangers at Petco Park, Friday.

Like a good neighbor, Rake Farm is there!! pic.twitter.com/jFBKAWwfv9

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 5, 2025​

According to ESPN statistics, Cronenworth is hitting just .183 against left-handed pitchers, such as Garcia, this season. The hit by Cronenworth made San Diego 4-for-12 on the day with runners in scoring position. The Padres also left 12 runners on base in the win.

Randy Vasquez started the game for San Diego and ran into trouble following a two-out walk to Josh Smith in the top of the top of the third inning. Smith advanced to third base on a single by Corey Seager and both runners came home one batter later when Marcus Semien doubled to right-center field to put Texas up, 2-0.

The Padres responded in the bottom of the fourth inning when Manny Machado hit a solo home run to center field to make the score, 2-1. Machado would later add a single giving him two hits in the game and 1,997 for his career.

That's our All-Star pic.twitter.com/ktREy20Y0V

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 4, 2025​

San Diego was able to draw even in the bottom of the sixth inning after Fernando Tatis Jr. leadoff with a triple to right field. Merrill flied out for the first out of the inning and Machado was walked on four pitches. With runners at the corners, Luis Arraez grounded a ball beyond the reach of Seager and into left field to make the score, 2-2.

Luis Arraez ties the game at 2 with an RBI single+#FourthOfJuly #ForTheFaithful pic.twitter.com/hliUJirfum

— San Diego Strong (@PadresStrong) July 5, 2025​

Vasquez did not allow two additional walks, in the same inning, to score later in the game and earned a no decision. He completed six innings, allowing two runs on three hits with three walks and one strikeout.

Jeremiah Estrada, Jason Adam, Robert Suarez and Adrian Morejon allowed just two hits over the remaining four innings of the game. Morejon came on in the 10th with an automatic runner at second base and did not allow him to advance, which setup the dramatic bottom of the 10th inning.

San Diego returns to action against Texas, Saturday at 6:40 p.m.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/7/...-fireworks-on-fourth-of-july-walk-off-rangers

 

[San Diego Padres]

Padres need to set contract extension deadline and move on from Dylan Cease

San Diego Padres Dylan Cease | Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images

The Friars could be an active participant in trade deadline deals.

The San Diego Padres acquired Dylan Cease days before the start of the 2024 season. He exceeded expectations by recording a 14-11 record with a 3.47 ERA. Cease became an emerging component of the Padres’ starting rotation. Throughout the winter, various media reports speculated the star pitcher was available on the trade market. The reason was that he was entering the final year of his current contract with little chance of San Diego locking him up.

Cease’s struggles heading into free agency​

Cease has struggled, as he is 3-8 with a 4.62 ERA in 18 starts. At times, the right-hander has been overpowering, as he struck out 121 batters and walked only 36 in 97.1 innings pitched. The problem areas have been the number of hard-hit balls (41.9%) and line drives (25.2%) given up in starts. Cease needs better production on the mound to gain attention in the offseason.

Starting pitching is always a hot commodity in the free agent market and Cease will be coveted by several suitors next winter. Let’s not forget that he is a Scott Boras client, so the odds of him staying in San Diego are low.

His reputation is to land the richest contract on the open market for his clients. Boras prefers having several teams bidding on their services. Typically, the franchise that offers the most lucrative deal holds the introductory press conference.

Do not call the Padres trade deadline sellers​

The Friars do not want to hear about them being sellers at the trade deadline. However, if a contract extension cannot be worked out with Cease, the Padres may be forced to move on from him. It might be wise to re-open trade talks with those teams from the offseason to assess his current market value.

The Friars have been hampered by a depleted starting rotation all season. Each replacement starter has struggled going deep into games, which makes it difficult for the offense to get on a roll. It is tough to play from behind every night. You hate to single out one starter for the team’s troubles, but Cease’s pitching issues add to speculation that his time in San Diego is ending.

Postseason contenders are always looking for an upgrade in their starting rotation. But the Friars need to act fast before the market gets flooded with starting pitchers. The trade must add pieces to the roster that allow the Padres to compete for a postseason berth.

There is no confirmation whether contract extension talks between the two sides have taken place. However, it is not out of the realm of possibility that the Padres made some overtures to Cease. Boras advises his clients to focus on the season and let the results speak for themselves.

The emotional weight of having to play for his next contract has put undue pressure on Cease. At the same time, the Friars cannot be at fault for shopping him on the trade market if he declines their contract extension offer.

Either way, both sides have to cross a bridge, and getting traded is the likely outcome for Cease.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/7/...tension-deadline-and-move-on-from-dylan-cease

 

[San Diego Padres]

Good Morning San Diego: The Higgy Game in the wrong year

Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images

Everything you need to know about your San Diego Padres on the morning of July 6, 2025.

of course he did pic.twitter.com/ft0NVEnE5c

— Talking Friars (@TalkingFriars) July 6, 2025​

Articles to read​

San Diego watches former catcher lead Texas to win (Matt DeWalt, Gaslamp Ball)

Padres need to set contract extension deadline and move on from Dylan Cease (Thomas Conroy, Gaslamp Ball)

Padres Minor League Update: Week 14 (Cheri Bell, Gaslamp Ball)

Padres notes: Kyle Higashioka’s lasting bond, potential All-Stars in the ‘pen (Jeff Sanders, SD U-T)

Nick Canepa: As Padres’ bats go silent (again), it’s time to look inward (SD U-T)

Tom Krasovic: San Diegans pack the stands for Padres games, soccer matches (SD U-T)

Familiar face, familiar woes sink Padres (Jeff Sanders, SD U-T)

Padres minors: Kavares Tears paces Storm attack, Logan Gillaspie solid in El Paso start (Jeff Sanders, SD U-T)

Forget the splits, Cronenworth never quits in walk-off moments (AJ Cassavell, MLB.com)

5 Padres who could join Machado at ASG (AJ Cassavell, MLB.com)

Nolan Ryan allowed one walk-off HR: This legendary manager hit it (Shaun O’Neill, MLB.com)

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/7/...ng-san-diego-the-higgy-game-in-the-wrong-year