Quote from Jeremy Hill on December 25, 2025, 10:58 am

Merry Christmas to my Friar Loving Forum Family!

Quote from BoosterSD on December 25, 2025, 8:53 pm

Merry Christmas boyz! Here's to another great Padres season.

Quote from fenn68 on December 27, 2025, 4:48 am

I see in MLBTradeRumors that the Padres are planning to give Song some reps in LF to further develop his "super utility" role. As it is he covers 3B/2B/1B ... and DH.

Given the current roster (although likely to change) that fits if the assumption is that Sheets starts at 1B and Song initially is the DH then ... as needed Song could take a field position to allow one of the other eight a day to DH (might have to move some others but still keep the 9 man line-up in tack. Also, if an injury he could take a field position and give Stammen more flexibility on who to role into the line-up ...maybe a more one dimensional DH/1B/C type.

As it stands, probably not eager to have Wagner - McCoy - Ornelas getting regular ABs and would use them sparingly in situational moments. So, as a "super utility" player, Song still could get a full time level of ABs.

Quote from fenn68 on December 28, 2025, 10:49 am

Reports are that the Padres are "interested in" Kazuma Okamoto ... 29 year old 1B from Japan ... posting window ends on Jan 4. RHH with good bat to ball skills and "some power" but still the normal unknown coming over from Japan ... especially vs high ML velocities. Good defensively at 3B/1B. In theory a good fit for the Padres needing that RHH punch at 1B/DH.

Price is a question ... given the "lower" than projected costs for the likes of Murakami and Song there is a good chance he may fit the Padres payroll limits with some minor tweaks.

Just for consideration ... assume the current payroll is at the high point. So where may the Padres delete (realistically) to make the roster "better" with Okamoto while delete payroll to fit him. Most likely trades that return little more than a mid-range non-roster prospect. Consider deals that drop:

1. Sears ($3.5 est. in arb) ... sitting at #5 but only a below average ERA at 30ish. Could they not be worse with using Hart or Waldron or McKenzie? Or sign a bargain at league minimum?
2. Sheets ($4.3 est. in arb) ... basically switch LHH Sheets for RHH Okamoto. Sheets had a strong season but well above his history plus not great defense and some weakness vs LHP.
3. Matsui ($5.7 in contract) ... weakest of LHRP and Padres may have to include a prospect for some team to take him but that may worth it for the payroll savings. Hart could fill in as the 3rd LHRP if not starting.

Those three if moved clear $12.5MM ... should be more than enough to cover Okamoto.

Side: yes a deal of Cronenworth would do that in one move but Preller has been trying to move him for a few years with no takes on his contract (no reason to see a difference now) plus, in my view the team is better with Cronenworth (at 2B) than Sheets (DH) / Song (2B) and can work around Sears and Matsui. With Cronenworth at 2B, Okamoto at 1B, frees Song to DH then rotate to other positions when a Machado, et al need a DH day.

Of course, if they work some buy-out with Darvish that could solve it all.

 

Quote from Jeremy Hill on December 28, 2025, 1:30 pm

From what I've gathered AJ and the rest of the decision makers love Okamoto. I can remember reading a number of reports connecting them to him when it was rumored he might come over the last few seasons.

Whether we land him or not I'm still expecting multiple trades from AJ. There are a number of guys that could go in cost cutting moves. We can probably afford to trade one of our late inning arms. There's enough demand for a right handed outfield bat that I wouldn't be surprised to see Laureano go. I think there's some blockbuster potential with the Red Sox and Mets. Nothing would surprise me with AJ at this point.

 

Quote from BoosterSD on December 29, 2025, 7:13 pm

FLA has just DFA'd Eric Wagaman. On his own he is not great; however, he has decent #'s v. LHP and can play all four corner spots, dirt and grass. He hit .283/.321/.462 with five homers, 14 doubles, and a triple in 184 plate appearances against left-handed pitching this year. He is still league minimum and not arb eligible until 2028.

Could be a nice inexpensive platoon at 1B with Sheets.

Quote from BoosterSD on December 30, 2025, 6:58 am

What about a trade with BAL for Mountcastle?

I'm thinking Adam and a lottery type A level prospect for Mountcastle and $1M. Basically adding Mountcastle for around $100k based on MLBTR projected arb salaries for both Adam and Mountcastle.

SD can handle the loss from the bullpen, and BAL has Alonso at 1B with a big contract. Both are FA's after the 2026 season. And most teams can use bullpen help.

Quote from MrPadre19 on December 30, 2025, 7:47 am

Quote from BoosterSD on December 30, 2025, 6:58 am

What about a trade with BAL for Mountcastle?

I'm thinking Adam and a lottery type A level prospect for Mountcastle and $1M. Basically adding Mountcastle for around $100k based on MLBTR projected arb salaries for both Adam and Mountcastle.

SD can handle the loss from the bullpen, and BAL has Alonso at 1B with a big contract. Both are FA's after the 2026 season. And most teams can use bullpen help.

Guess it depends on if they think he can rebound from last season.

They went big on Alonso so they obviously didn't want to extend him and give him 1b...doesn't mean he couldn't be a good option for us for one season though.I wonder what Rhys Hoskins market is like...haven't heard a thing?

 

Quote from fenn68 on December 30, 2025, 8:16 am

Quote from BoosterSD on December 30, 2025, 6:58 am

What about a trade with BAL for Mountcastle?

I'm thinking Adam and a lottery type A level prospect for Mountcastle and $1M. Basically adding Mountcastle for around $100k based on MLBTR projected arb salaries for both Adam and Mountcastle.

SD can handle the loss from the bullpen, and BAL has Alonso at 1B with a big contract. Both are FA's after the 2026 season. And most teams can use bullpen help.

A few hurdles to make that deal for both BALT and SD perspectives.

First, and maybe the biggest hurdle, is Adam's health ... he says he is making excellent progress (but players / teams always say that) ... so will he be available for the season opening and will he return at 2025 level? Should make BALT cautious.

On the flip side of Adam, IF Padres think he will be fine for 2026 ... he is worth a lot more than Mountcastle whether with the Padres or in a different trade (probably at the end of ST after everyone "knows" he is back to form).

If Padres land Okamoto for 1B ... no need for Mountcastle.

As for Mountcastle ... 2025 was really bad but his earlier years were "only" slightly above average ... with middling power (in a hitter's park). Plus BALT has been considering moving him for some time with no takers ... Alonso may change their calculation for a return ... lower.

So, for me, adding Mountcastle is an option ... if better options don't emerge ... and for less valuable trade chips (somewhat dependent on how much of his salary Balt eats.). More a ST type deal.

Padres do have RP ... always in demand ... so using one of the "better" options could (should) the Padres target Mayo for 1B/DH who has 6 years control and is at league minimum. He is projected for 2026 in the same zone as Mountcastle but still has considerable upside.