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2025-26 Offseason thread
#411 · January 7, 2026, 11:05 am
If I'm AJ I'm looking to take advantage of the frenzy in the AL East. We know all about the Red Sox crowded outfield and AJ's previous interest in Duran. If they land Alex Bregman their infield mix could get pretty crowded too. They could end up in a situation where there's really no room for Triston Casas, Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer. With Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo added to the mix and Patrick Sandoval, and Kutter Crawford returning from injury they should have some starting pitching to trade too. There could be an opportunity to fill some of our needs and/or add major league ready young talent by leveraging some of our bullpen depth.
The Blue Jays could also be facing a roster crunch. Guys like Nathan Lukes, Davis Schneider and Addison Barger might not see much playing time now that they've added Okamoto and are reportedly chasing Kyle Tucker. They could be an interesting contract swap possibility. Could we pick up one of those guys alongside Jose Berrios or Yariel Rodriguez while keeping the money even or in our favor in a deal for Cronenworth? He could platoon with Ernie Clement for them and give them some more versatility. Even Santander could make some sense if you wanted to bet on a return to form to potentially add a power bat.
The Orioles position player mix is starting to get a little crowded too and they have some post hype prospects in Coby Mayo, Colton Cowser and Heston Kjerstad that could be interesting targets.
The Rays are always willing to deal and can't be feeling great about their chances at the moment. If you're looking for one trade to solve our problems Yandy Diaz and Drew Rasmussen could probably be had. The Yankees will surely get active at some point too.
#412 · January 7, 2026, 11:33 am
AL East could be a fertile ground for a trade ... everyone needs bullpen help and Padres have depth ... so maybe.
Unless it is a "complex" trade ... most likely Preller will target a RHH to cover a some of the Sheets, Cronenworth, Song, Merrill issues with LHP. Plus a mid to lower rotation SP makes sense. Padres don't have the most desirable trade chips that would warrant a team giving up someone elite. Plus deleting any ML player (except RP) of the Padres' ML starting 9 just creates a different hole to fill.
Still think Mayo or Mountcastle from Balt could make a lot of sense on the BALT side if a hitter is the target. Not sure who TOR, BOST, TB, or NYY would be willing to move (at a Padre price) who is a RHH.
If they opt to get a "prospect" for the #5 SP projected to be better than Sears (and maybe Vasquez) that could also work (also sets up Sears as the #6 call-up since he does have an option left) ... if a player at league minimum then they could scrounge the leftovers on the FA market for part-time / bench RHHs.
Perception maybe ... but it seems across most of ML that activity this winter is less than normal ... so far. Padres not alone. Could be just a lack of FA quality at the initial price demanded and teams will wait for players / agents to crack. Could be that a 2027 lockout may have quite a few teams trying to minimize 2026 outlays to create a "lockout fund" to pay for their minor league commitments, scouting, front office in 2027 when no revenues are coming in. Probably not an issue with LAD or TOR but others?
Possible we see little done until ST opens when players want to avoid being unemployed ... take 1 year / low value contacts ... and that works for the teams.
#413 · January 7, 2026, 2:05 pm
Read a report that KC is looking to add another LHRP, would they be interested in either Peralta or Matsui? Maybe not able to get much for either prospect wise, but the salary relief would be nice to distribute somewhere else.
#414 · January 7, 2026, 4:55 pm
Quote from BoosterSD on January 7, 2026, 2:05 pmRead a report that KC is looking to add another LHRP, would they be interested in either Peralta or Matsui? Maybe not able to get much for either prospect wise, but the salary relief would be nice to distribute somewhere else.
There should be a chance since KC only finished about 6 games behind CLEV for the AL Central (82-80) and seem somewhat motivated to make a run.
Agree not much for the Padres except salary relief ... but that is by itself a good thing. Hart looks to be ticketed for the pen as a LHRP to go with Morejon and then only one of Peralta / Matsui. Not carrying four LHRP given all the RHRP fighting to make the roster.
Wonder if the Padres could boost the offer a bit and try to get either Bergert or Kolek back for bottom of the rotation support ... both seem ticketed for AAA (KC has a good starting staff and multiple good prospects for AAA) ... maybe with some prospect RP tossed in. KC needs offense (especially OF) but don't see a Padre match there.
#415 · January 8, 2026, 8:45 am
What does everyone think of RHSP Walker Buehler as a potential bounce back candidate in the Nieabla school of pitching rehab? How much do you think he would cost? Could be our #4 starter and would be able to start a playoff game. Go Pads!
#416 · January 8, 2026, 8:48 am
Quote from fenn68 on January 7, 2026, 4:55 pmQuote from BoosterSD on January 7, 2026, 2:05 pmRead a report that KC is looking to add another LHRP, would they be interested in either Peralta or Matsui? Maybe not able to get much for either prospect wise, but the salary relief would be nice to distribute somewhere else.
There should be a chance since KC only finished about 6 games behind CLEV for the AL Central (82-80) and seem somewhat motivated to make a run.
Agree not much for the Padres except salary relief ... but that is by itself a good thing. Hart looks to be ticketed for the pen as a LHRP to go with Morejon and then only one of Peralta / Matsui. Not carrying four LHRP given all the RHRP fighting to make the roster.
Wonder if the Padres could boost the offer a bit and try to get either Bergert or Kolek back for bottom of the rotation support ... both seem ticketed for AAA (KC has a good starting staff and multiple good prospects for AAA) ... maybe with some prospect RP tossed in. KC needs offense (especially OF) but don't see a Padre match there.
I could definitely live with trading either Peralta or Matsui (or both) for either Bergert or Kolek. Pads would gain some salary payroll flexibility. Go Pads!
#417 · January 8, 2026, 9:12 am
Quote from brent wolff on January 8, 2026, 8:45 amWhat does everyone think of RHSP Walker Buehler as a potential bounce back candidate in the Nieabla school of pitching rehab? How much do you think he would cost? Could be our #4 starter and would be able to start a playoff game. Go Pads!
He would have to come in on a very Padre favorable contract (maybe minor league / ML split with incentives based on starts).
The Buehler of 2021 and prior would be great BUT since 2021 he has been below average (and injured a lot over the past 3 years going 65-75-126 innings). K% has gone down every season since 2020 suggesting he has lost a lot.
Would I like to see him in ST on a look-see-make good audition ... yes BUT would not guarantee any money given his performance / injury risk while under a tight budget.
Over the past 3 years Sears pitched more than twice the innings and had a lower ERA ... so would not spend much on a gamble on Buehler.
#418 · January 8, 2026, 9:22 am
Red Sox Targeting Left-Handed Bullpen Help
Looks like another potential trade partner ... again not looking for a major return but primarily payroll relief.
Side: would prefer to deal Matsui ... lesser productivity than Peralta but a bigger contract in 2026 and on the hook for a few more years. Hart can easily slide into his role.
Other teams would likely prefer Peralta for the same reasons but Preller might want a better return making the choice between the two more difficult since neither are game changers.
One of those two LHRP is likely to be gone by opening day.
#419 · January 8, 2026, 9:47 am
Might see some signings of the arbitration eligible Padres today ... otherwise they exchange numbers then have a window before the hearing to still agree on a deal.
In his 10 years, Preller has never had a player go to arbitration ... so expect things get done. Preller never seems to lowball in these cases.
Possible that we see some creative deals to lower hit on 2026 with an agreement that becomes multi-year. IF Preller works multi-year deals with some of Miller, Morejon, Adam ... that may in-turn free up players such as Estrada or Morgan as trade chips (low cost and long control has excellent trade value). Note that Morejon and Adam are scheduled to be FA after 2026.
#420 · January 8, 2026, 10:18 am
The arbitration estimates: Morejon ($3.6MM at age 27); Adam ($6.8MM at age 34) then FA next winter (but likely a work stoppage in 2027 and a new CBA when they return creates some uncertainty).
Padres really like these two ... both on and off the field (especially Adam) BUT Preller does not let that impact his decision making and historically willing to let players to test FA to really gauge the market. So, offering them a multi-year alternative to a one year arb decision might not be in play.
Money ... both in 2026 and in future years is the critical issue for both the team and the player. So, what kind of deal could be reasonable expected for these two as FA in 2027? Would the Padre approach that in a offer? Would the players accept a bit less for the certainty of the guarantee?
Those two may be the interesting negations now ... others have multi-year control so no urgency to lock them down.