Quote from brent wolff on December 19, 2025, 7:39 pm

Since Song is another LHH, in my opinion, need to add another quality RH bat.  It seemed we struggled against LHP last year, so I would like to see AJP find a RH bat that hits LHP well.  Not sure who that would be, prefer a 1B/DH/corner OF position type of player.  The Pads did sign former Twins 3B/1B Jose Miranda to a minor league deal and he is a RH power bat, good low risk/high upside option, similar to Sheets last year.

I love that King is back at the top of the rotation with Pivetta and Musgrove.  I'm fine with Vasquez, Sears & McKenzie as 4th/5th starters along with Melendez in the minors.

Things are shaping up nicely, but you never know what AJP and staff have in mind.  It is not likely the Pads are done wheeling and dealing yet.  Go Pads!

Quote from Commie on December 19, 2025, 9:55 pm

I feel Nick Castellanos looming.

Quote from WindsorUK on December 19, 2025, 10:27 pm

Quote from Commie on December 19, 2025, 9:55 pm

I feel Nick Castellanos looming.

Yeah, be interesting to see what Philly does with him.

Wouldn't be surprised if someone offers something( very little!) to get first dibbs on a guy who could possibly hit 20+ HR's and drive in some runs.

If Philly just dumps him, I imagine whichever team offers him the most AB's AND a possibility of time in the field( can Nick play 1B?) wiil get him.

Quote from fenn68 on December 20, 2025, 3:26 am

Quote from Randy Manese on December 19, 2025, 7:26 pm

Not really an off-season thread topic, but does anyone know if there is a lockout in 2027, will the minor leagues still operate?  In the past, they were more or less independent but if MLB owns the minors, doesn't that mean that there also will be no minor league baseball if there is no major league baseball?

I hope I'm wrong - I love to watch minor league games on Milb network.

 

Yes, minor league players (non-40 man roster players) are not covered by the ML CBA so they will have a "normal" season.

Considering that teams may look hard before adding any prospect to the 40 man roster thus allowing him to play (and develop) during the lockout. However, still have to consider Rule 5 implications (in Nov before lockout).

Also, any ML FA (not on a 40 man roster) can sign a minor league contract (or foreign contract) and play to keep in shape then may be more appealing to ML teams when the lockout ends.

All that is really unfortunate for players such as Mendez, Hawkins who are the 40 man (thus will be locked out) but not really ML players and would be better served by playing in the minors for development.

 

Quote from fenn68 on December 20, 2025, 3:48 am

Quote from WindsorUK on December 19, 2025, 10:27 pm

Quote from Commie on December 19, 2025, 9:55 pm

I feel Nick Castellanos looming.

Yeah, be interesting to see what Philly does with him.

Wouldn't be surprised if someone offers something( very little!) to get first dibbs on a guy who could possibly hit 20+ HR's and drive in some runs.

If Philly just dumps him, I imagine whichever team offers him the most AB's AND a possibility of time in the field( can Nick play 1B?) wiil get him.

PHIL is in not hurry to release him ... waiting for some team to step up and offer to take some of the salary or offer a decent prospect. If they released him they eat all his contract ... so just wait ... probably until ST before making the call.

Other teams likely are willing to wait it out ... maybe would like to add Castellanos but not for what PHIL wants now and would prefer gamble they could get him on the cheap before the season starts.

PHILS are still looking for bullpen depth ... Padres have depth in the bullpen and can't keep them all ... so at some level a match on a minor trade. However, the hang-up may be PHIL wanting some team to take a major part of his contract (rather than a fringe player) in return. That is a problem for the Padres (and likely most other teams).

 

Quote from Jeremy Hill on December 20, 2025, 11:35 am

I think Castellanos has to be looked at as a DH only at this point. He hasn't hit right handed pitching well enough to justify that role in 4 seasons. Last season he didn't hit lefties well either. He was also openly feuding with his manager over playing time and lineup decisions. I would be looking at him as a DH on the weak side of a platoon. I doubt that he would want to settle for that kind of a role. Even if he did I would question whether he would be worth the roster spot and potential clubhouse drama he might bring. I think he gets released and ends up on a bad team that will let him play everyday in hopes of him hitting well enough to become a trade chip.

Quote from fenn68 on December 20, 2025, 1:04 pm

Quote from Jeremy Hill on December 20, 2025, 11:35 am

I think Castellanos has to be looked at as a DH only at this point. He hasn't hit right handed pitching well enough to justify that role in 4 seasons. Last season he didn't hit lefties well either. He was also openly feuding with his manager over playing time and lineup decisions. I would be looking at him as a DH on the weak side of a platoon. I doubt that he would want to settle for that kind of a role. Even if he did I would question whether he would be worth the roster spot and potential clubhouse drama he might bring. I think he gets released and ends up on a bad team that will let him play everyday in hopes of him hitting well enough to become a trade chip.

He does not seem like a type of person that fits how Preller is building the team and may not want take that risk with a new manager in Stammen.

Quote from Randy Manese on December 20, 2025, 1:27 pm

I'm guessing any deal with the Mets will have to wait until they land another big bat for the line-up.  Maybe no earlier than the first week of January.  Still targeting Vientos and certainly would like to get one of their young SP prospects - Sproat or Tong - if the price is not too high.  Otherwise, just Vientos is okay.

Quote from fenn68 on December 20, 2025, 1:40 pm

Depending on the final numbers and cash flow ... after the Song signing the Padres will be $218-220MM (CASH) payroll ... that is ABOVE the 2025 payroll by $7-9MM. (remember John Siedler said the payroll would remain about the same ... so maybe this is OK).

A little more of an issue maybe where the stand vs the Luxury Tax (2nd consecutive year ... 30% penalty on overage I think). Now Padres are around $260MM ... $16MM OVER the first threshold and just $4MM UNDER level 2 with higher penalties. Getting the sense that avoiding going over the 2nd threshold will be avoided.

If we conclude that the Padres are near the top in payroll ... and Padres want to contend Preller may have some alternative strategies ... maybe depending on what is still on the market and who other teams may want.

1. Stand pat ... see who steps up during the season (and who falters) ... wait to make "major" adds mid-season / trade deadline. For not be content with "minor" league minimum "tweaks".
2. Work a contract buy-out with Darvish (buy out still counts with CBT) but could lower both CASH and AAV if what is owed is stretch out over a longer period.
3. Deal some players for payroll relief first (not that interested in a ML return piece) ... in play could be Matsui, Peralta, Sears ... maybe Adam if he looks good in ST ... probably not getting under the CBT but does open payroll to add a more productive bat for 1B/DH. Pen is strong so lower risk with the net potentially being better for the full team success
4. At this point, think the two bigger moves are unlikely ... Pivetta and Cronenworth. With Pivetta (1 year / $20MM) will not get an equivalent ML talent in return and no likely to find a FA of equal talent ... so, if Padres want to contend have to keep Pivetta. We have all heard Preller has tried to move Cronenworth (5 years / $60MM) with no success and I have no reason to think that will change since see no teams seem to be looking to spend at that level for a 2B and eating some of his contract defeats the point and creates a need for another ML bat.

Other than some additional "minor" FA adds ... Preller may wait to see what is playing out as ST opens (unless another teams comes calling with an interesting proposal). Preller seems always comfortable to waiting until the last moment of ST to make his final moves.