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2025-26 Offseason thread
#321 · December 19, 2025, 6:46 am
Setting up ... for now ... with JP Sears as the #5 SP. Keeping in mind that this is the #5 SP the threshold across the ML is not that high.
His 2025 was not great but looking at his 2023 and 2024 with the A's he did two things that give me optimism:
- 32 starts in each year with 172 and 181 innings ... that if nothing else keeps pressure off the pen, the rest of the staff
- ERAs in the mid-lower 4s ... "slightly above" the ML average SP ERA and below the expected league performance by #5 SP ... sets him more in the #4 SP level.
With any luck Niebla can return him to his 2023-24 form (maybe better). There is enough there to allow Preller to move focus off finding another SP now ... gives some time in ST to evaluate the "next up" options such as Mendez, Haynes, Lizarraga, McKenzie, Yost, et al. If there is a useful SP still around on the cheap in ST (maybe another reclamation project) he may make that move.
I guess at this point ... focus needs to be on the 9th hitter and maybe some bench upgrades.
#322 · December 19, 2025, 7:01 am
Quote from BoosterSD on December 19, 2025, 6:45 amBusy morning for Preller already! I think this is just the start. I still think he trades Pivetta for more affordable, controllable piece(s). I still think a blockbuster is coming.
Depending on their assessment of Song, I think Crone and Pivetta are the most likely to go now, mainly for payroll relief.
Other than payroll relief (suggesting not redeploying money to new FA) ... not sure going to get anything to help 2026 ... at least at competitive level.
Pivetta ... as good as he was in 2025 ... is only a 1 year pick-up at a lofty $20MM. Fits with a contender who would likely not want to give anyone in return that would impact 2026.
Cronenworth ... his 5 year / $60MM contact is a big bite for sightly above average 2B who is already in this early 30s. Might find a buyer for the contract ... but not much in a return package.
So, if the Padres want to contend in 2026 ... almost can't risk trading either. If the current payroll is a problem ... not sure why they re-signed King and signed Song.
I will assume the current payroll is "workable" but maybe still some shedding out of Peralta/Matsui ... maybe Adam when he gets healthy (he is a FA after 2026). If they are looking at end of the season status ... if this roster is winning they may cover with the revenue stream but if not winning can clear a ton at the trade deadline by moving Pivetta, Adam, Laureano, Morejon ... all FA to be.
#323 · December 19, 2025, 8:55 am
Song has played all around the infield with the exception of shortstop. Would be a much better defensive 1b than Sheets and gives us another lefty bat should Sheets regress or we find a taker for Croney to help alleviate the payroll crunch. Right now without any more trades, probably looking at Sheets and Campy platooning at DH with the remain 3 bench spots up for grabs, depending upon the market. Could use another RH hitter with at least average power and/or a LH hitting catcher and then bring Iglesias back. That would round out the roster for me.
I think a trade with the Mets is still possible but now on a much smaller scale. I can see Estrada and Matsui going to NY for Vientos.
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#324 · December 19, 2025, 9:28 am
Quote from Jeremy Hill on December 18, 2025, 8:29 pmKing is back. 12m signing bonus with a 5m salary next year. 28m player option or 5m buyout in 2027 and a 30m player option for 2028. Awesome news and may give us a little more financial flexibility this season.
Great to have him back. We need to keep Pivetta.
The rotation is coming to together: Musgrove, Pivetta, King, Vasquez, ?
#325 · December 19, 2025, 9:29 am
I wonder if AJP is going to try and land Munetaka Murakami.
#326 · December 19, 2025, 10:42 am
Quote from ultratvfan on December 19, 2025, 9:29 amI wonder if AJP is going to try and land Munetaka Murakami.
way to big of a projected contract ... 6 years / $22MM AAV ... so, no.
#327 · December 19, 2025, 10:56 am
Given the core quality of this current roster ... offense, SP, and RP ... it should be a playoff team if the core delivers and without anything beyond minor tweaks.
So, with a lot of FA on the market (low cost ones) and with some RP as trade pieces for low cost options, Preller actually can add some upgrades without a major move.
Heard some commentary that Song might be a very good defensive fit at 2B that may allow Cronenworth to migrate to 1B where he has the plus defense. If that is the base case ... maybe only a platoon add(s) to cover Song and/or Sheets. That could be done cheaply.
Another idea ... if Fermin is locked in as the #1 C (120 games?) and they are really comfortable with the rest of the offense ... might they go with a defensive 1st C at #2a (Hunt?) and role Campusano to #2b C but a 1B/DH RHH option? A lot rests on Campusano's ML bat ... and that could be better if not having to focus on C defense.