Quote from Randy Manese on December 22, 2025, 8:43 am

Padres have lots of minor league pitchers who have flashed potential as solid bullpen pieces that are not on their current 40-man but will either be Rule 5 eligible or free agents after the 2026 season.

From the left side, I like current RPs Harry Gustin and Ryan Och, while SPs Jagger Haynes and Luis Gutierrez could make the transition to the pen.

From the right side, there are current RP's Francis Pena, Manuel Castro and Josh Mallitz, while SPs Tucker Musgrove and Eric Yost could similarly make the transition to the pen.

Then you the two oft-injured but impressive arms, LHP Jackson Smeltz and RHP Cole Paplham.  If they ever get healthy and still have their stuff they could rocket to the top of their respective lists.

So, Padres have a lot of potential trade chips at the major league level.  Some are out of options while some are considered to be overpaid for their value.  It will be interesting to see how this shakes out before and during ST.

Quote from ultratvfan on December 22, 2025, 4:47 pm

I have read that the only team to date that offered Arraez  a contract was the Dbacks for 2 years $20 million. I am surprised. Maybe he will end up re-signing with the Padres.

 

Quote from BoosterSD on December 22, 2025, 6:54 pm

I think SD would do well in trying to get Ken Waldichuk who was just DFA'd by the As. LHP, mainly a SP, and probably the kind of stuff that Niebla can work with to improve. Plus he is arb eligible for the first time this season and predicted for $900K by MLBTR.

Quote from fenn68 on December 23, 2025, 2:20 am

Quote from BoosterSD on December 22, 2025, 6:54 pm

I think SD would do well in trying to get Ken Waldichuk who was just DFA'd by the As. LHP, mainly a SP, and probably the kind of stuff that Niebla can work with to improve. Plus he is arb eligible for the first time this season and predicted for $900K by MLBTR.

His return from TJ Surgery last season was poor ... pitching for LV in AAA. Not sure what the scouts now see in him. However, doubt any team will claim him using a roster slot on that risk but signing him as a minor league FA would make sense.

Horrible control in 2025 and that was an issue before TJ surgery. However he was a top prospect with plus stuff ... sort of a scout's question on what he has post TJ ... he did have a half season in LV last season so some time to make an assessment.

At 27 worth a gamble as a rebound candidate in AAA ... Padres need a volume of potential SP sitting in AAA for insurance ... now McKenzie, Mendez, Brito, then ??? ... so, none clear 2026 ML options.

 

Quote from Randy Manese on December 23, 2025, 8:09 am

From the bargain bin, you could possibly get veterans Jordan Montgomery or Austin Gomber for under 2.5 million, which is about what Fangraphs estimates Padres have left under the AAV to stay under the second tier of 264 million.  Not an inspiring group to on which to gamble.  Might be better to look for more of those free agent minor leaguers.

Also, there was talk that David Morgan might be a candidate for the rotation because of his multi-pitch repertoire.  He has never been a starter and hasn't thrown over 60 innings total in a season so there is a risk of injury, which he did have near the end of the 2025 season.  With a very deep bullpen, this might be the better gamble.

Quote from Randy Manese on December 23, 2025, 8:24 am

With Song essentially taking the place of Iglesias, Padres still need some RH pop of the bench at either 1b, DH, or in the OF.  Could there be a reunion with either ex-Padre Ty France or Hunter Renfroe?  Would D.J. LeMahieu take a much lower salary to move West for one more shot at a World Series?  I know these aren't massive power guys but all are RH hitters with some success in the past.  I'm not a fan of Castellanos even if we can get him at a low cost - not a team player.

Quote from fenn68 on December 23, 2025, 8:43 am

Quote from Randy Manese on December 23, 2025, 8:24 am

With Song essentially taking the place of Iglesias, Padres still need some RH pop of the bench at either 1b, DH, or in the OF.  Could there be a reunion with either ex-Padre Ty France or Hunter Renfroe?  Would D.J. LeMahieu take a much lower salary to move West for one more shot at a World Series?  I know these aren't massive power guys but all are RH hitters with some success in the past.  I'm not a fan of Castellanos even if we can get him at a low cost - not a team player.

NYY are still on the hook with LeMahieu for $15MM in 2026, so, in theory he could be signed for league minimum if he wants to play. I was surprised last season where the same scenario existed and he did not sign ... maybe at 37 he is just calling it quits or just wants the perfect situation (in his view).

Renfroe has been a below average hitter over the past 3 years (2025 was ugly) and apparently his defense has faded ... easy pass.

France on the other hand should be very low cost and be a good platoon with the LHH for DH/1B ... especially given the lack of low cost alternatives.

I am curious about Song ... certainly being pitched as the 2026 Iglesias to get playing time at 3B/2B/1B/DH (and that could be a lot) ... but given the Padres  went four years makes me think they may see more in him down the road. A chance he may move to a regular role at 2B (reported good on defense) IF they move Cronenworth to 1B or trade him. As I postulated before ... if they want some more RHH pop in this line-up while maximizing defense the odd man out could be Sheets replaced by a RHH with more defensive versatility ... Croney at 1B. Plus in a budget pinch Sheets is projected for $4MM plus ... maybe a lot for a LHH platoon with defensive limits.

Quote from fenn68 on December 23, 2025, 9:01 am

Quote from Randy Manese on December 23, 2025, 8:09 am

From the bargain bin, you could possibly get veterans Jordan Montgomery or Austin Gomber for under 2.5 million, which is about what Fangraphs estimates Padres have left under the AAV to stay under the second tier of 264 million.  Not an inspiring group to on which to gamble.  Might be better to look for more of those free agent minor leaguers.

Also, there was talk that David Morgan might be a candidate for the rotation because of his multi-pitch repertoire.  He has never been a starter and hasn't thrown over 60 innings total in a season so there is a risk of injury, which he did have near the end of the 2025 season.  With a very deep bullpen, this might be the better gamble.

I would be more inclined to keep Morgan in the pen in 2026 ... build up his ML innings (maybe into the 70-80 range) and aim for a SP role in 2027 to cover the departure of Pivetta and/or whomever has the #5 slot this year.

Worried that with such limited innings in his past he would not last a full season (or even go deep in games) with or without injury. Could create a problem for a playoff run in Aug/Sep searching for a replacement.

We will see how Preller adds to the mix by ST but have to assume Pivetta - King - Musgrove - Vasquez role out in the 1-4 slots and we are only searching for a #5. Sorting among Sears (best shot), Waldron (not a fan), McKenzie (if they can turn him around to his previous highs ... or near), Hart (sort of a toss up with a RP role) might buy time to see if Mendez, Brito, Lizarraga, Haynes, or Yost develop ... if not a trade deadline move for a rental.

Side ... as a #4 I am more OK with Vasquez than most. He makes his starts gives 5 decent innings and his ERA was better than league average for SP. Leaves the Padres with a shot to win given the strength of the pen. Had trouble the 3rd time through ... don't know if Niebla can fix that a bit. Also not sure if it was Shildt or Niebla who had the quick hook on him ... we will see with Stammen.

Quote from Randy Manese on December 23, 2025, 10:02 am

I'm ambivalent about Sheets.  There were times when he carried the team for awhile and other times when he disappeared entirely.  I think his wRC+ of 111 is going to be about as good as he gets and more than likely to regress in the low to mid-90's.  This is still acceptable for around 4 million if he hits around 20 HRs and drives in 70+ runs.  He is not great defensively but can we get a RH hitter with the same amount of production who may be a better defender for the same amount of money?  It would have to come as a result of a trade that might allow us to acquire that player or use the 4 million from Sheets plus what we have under left under the AAV to get someone better than those listed above.  There are oldsters Goldschmidt, Santana and Marte but maybe Austin Hays or even a reunion with Gary Sanchez?