Quote from BoosterSD on February 6, 2026, 8:32 am

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 6, 2026, 7:39 am

I don't think our bench is good enough to carry three Catchers.

If we knew Campy was going to have a good offensive year sure....but we don't.

We need another guy like Andujar who can hit off the bench or fill multiple positions if injury hits more than a 3rd Catcher IMO.

Or add a guy "instead" of Campy but I don't see that happening before Opening Day

 

I guess that's where we differ, I don't see Campusano as an option for C. IF he can hit, DH and maybe/hopefully 1B, but not C. Does not have the chops to be back there.

Quote from BoosterSD on February 6, 2026, 8:34 am

Quote from fenn68 on February 6, 2026, 8:04 am

One gambit Preller could try to employ is to trade a "marginal" RP who has an elevated salary for mid-range prospect (A ball?) with the goal to reduce payroll cash. Then use that new space to add some more useful bench pieces or maybe make a trade (with more RP) to get a decent SP who happens to carry some salary.

Specifically would try to deal Matsui ($5.750MM) or Peralta ($4.450MM). Many here are not impressed by their production but compared to others in MLB they are really average and for teams with a need for RP ... they should have enough value to take on those salaries if not giving up much in prospect capital.

Padres have Hart to replace either one as a LHRP behind Morejon.

 

I would think that MIN could be an option for either of those two LHRP. Just read on MLBTR that MIN is still looking to add to their bullpen.

Quote from fenn68 on February 6, 2026, 9:22 am

Quote from BoosterSD on February 6, 2026, 8:32 am

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 6, 2026, 7:39 am

I don't think our bench is good enough to carry three Catchers.

If we knew Campy was going to have a good offensive year sure....but we don't.

We need another guy like Andujar who can hit off the bench or fill multiple positions if injury hits more than a 3rd Catcher IMO.

Or add a guy "instead" of Campy but I don't see that happening before Opening Day

 

I guess that's where we differ, I don't see Campusano as an option for C. IF he can hit, DH and maybe/hopefully 1B, but not C. Does not have the chops to be back there.

Sure he is an option ... maybe not a good one but he is here and alternative is not.

One factor is the belief by the Padres how many games can Fermin catch ... has been behind Perez in KC so has never been run out there with a heavy work load. Clearly he is the #1 with by far the best defense and what looks like decent offense for a catcher.

IF they think Fermin can go 120-130 games ... may not want to invest much in a catcher for 30-40 games. IF in ST Campusano shows a good bat (that would also have value as DH or PH) he might be in even with the poorest defense going.

IF they worry about Fermin's ability to go more than 100 games ... and they lose faith in Campusano's bat ... they try to find a defensive first cheap catcher thinking the other 8 starters can carry the offense. I guess Blake Hunt (minor league deal in AAA) could fill that role although a pretty unknown commodity at the ML level.

Key is low cost since still a #2 catcher with the expectation of Fermin getting the bulk of the work. Might still see a non-roster add ... a few FA still out there to showcase during ST.

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 6, 2026, 9:34 am

Yeah I'm not thrilled with Campy behind the plate either....but I don't see his bat holding enough value as just a 1b/DH/PH.

Either he plays 1-2 games a week behind the plate to keep us from needing a "3rd Catcher" or I'd rather have Goldy.

I wonder what he and Hoskins are asking considering they're still available?

Maybe a deal involving a RP could also include Campusano?

Although as soon as he leaves he will likely rake for someone else.....

 

 

 

Quote from fenn68 on February 6, 2026, 10:48 am

Hoskins and Goldschmidt are seeking more than the Padres have to drop on another bat. Early guess on their contracts were in the $7-8MM range ... might be a bit lower now. If the Padres had another $7MM ... work on using that on a SP. Plus the DH/1B roles is now covered by Sheets / Andujar / Song / and rotation in by other starters before you get to 5th option ... so that 5th option is not getting much work (probably does not appeal to FA). Would suggest even Campusano would get limited AB as DH.

Niether Hoskins nor Goldschmidt are good defensive 1B and at this stage Hoskins is not hitting and Goldy really faded late 2025 (age?). Don't really want to chase the past using limited money for part time filler.

I don't mind moving on from Campusano ... just need that #2 catcher in hand first. Don't see a big need now with the addition of Andujar and Song along with the full seasons of Laueano and Fermin for another hitter 1st player ... so a defensive 1st catcher works and should be lower cost.

Escarra (LHH) from the NYY for a RP? All defense ... little offense ... so should be workable.

Spend money / trade chips first on a SP ...

 

Quote from fenn68 on February 6, 2026, 12:08 pm

Pivetta - King - Musgrove - Vasquez - Sears is (for now) the starting rotation ... BUT who is the spot starter when needed or fill for an IL stint?

On the 40 man: Waldron (out of options); Mendez (barely broken AA); Hart (can be optioned but good candidate for long relief / spot starter)

Veteran ST invites: McKenzie and Gonzales (neither has pitched well for about three years)

Non-Roster "prospects": Lizarraga and Haynes (neither had dominate 2025 below AAA)

Skipping the unexpected injuries to Pivetta, Vasquez, or Sears (all seem to stay healthy and make their starts) ... some risk with King and Musgrove returning from injury laden 2025. Musgrove in an interview said he and the team understand he will have to pace himself during the season (missing some starts) so he does not wear down and is at peak for the playoffs. I guess the same thinking can fit with King.

Hart (with starting experience) seems the best in line for a #6 role ... always bullpen days (I never liked them) but would seem a more reliable option needs to be in the mix (either on the 26 man or in AAA for a call-up).

Maybe they get lucky and one of the AAA SP clicks early and becomes a legit option ... just would be more "comfortable" with a AAA option with more certainty ... expect that #6 to get a lot of work over the full season.

Quote from fenn68 on February 7, 2026, 6:30 am

Goldschmidt's signing with the NYY opens up some potential of a trade ... that  might appeal to the Padres.

NYY now have an OF of Bellinger - Grisham - Judge and a 1B/DH of Rice - Stanton ... Goldschmidt is the bench / part-time insurance. The ripple effect is both Dominguez (effective at the ML level) and Jones (#2 prospect) are destined for AAA. Could be insurance for 2027 when both Grisham and Goldschmidt depart as FA OR used for trade fodder now to upgrade a significant need in RP.

Padres have the RP depth to potentially interest the NYY and LHRP may be the bigger need but any RP upgrade would work. Padres also will have a need in 2027 as both Laureano and Andujar become FA. Dominguez ... switch hitter with MLB success ... would be the prime target (and hardest to get) with potential immediate benefit (probably bump Johnson).

Alternatively, focusing on the NYY need of RP and the Padre need for some SP depth for AAA / call-up / 2027 ... NYY have some of their better SP prospects lurking in AAA/AA ... that may also work.

IF the Padres don't "overreach" ... possibly Matsui or Peralta could be a fit (maybe with mid-level prospect) for a useful (and cheaper) return. Or go to my other gambit ... either one of a minimal return in an effort to open payroll space.

A lot of possibilities with the NYY given their RP needs ...

Quote from fenn68 on February 7, 2026, 7:29 am

Note that looking at at the remaining FA RP ... a very mediocre to bad options. A number of teams need (want) to upgrade their bullpens. Padres have extensive depth of RP better than the FA options.

Looks as though Preller has played this right ... held on his best trade chips until the FA supply is down and the team demands remain high. IF Preller chooses to trade ... he has the leverage.

IF Adam showcases healthy in ST ... would potentially give Preller more flexibility in setting up RHRP behind Miller sorting through Adam - Estrada - Morgan - Marinaccio - Rodriguez not even considering the AAA depth.

As much as I like Adam ... he is 34 and a FA after the season making $6.650MM this year ... have to consider a healthy Adam a trade chip yielding a good return while opening a lot of payroll space.

Quote from Commie on February 7, 2026, 7:50 pm

Do not think Adam is a viable trade option regardless of how he looks in st. Too much risk for other teams acquiring re unknown from serious injury. Estrada is viable.

Who is a available on the sp trade front though?

Just don't see anything significant happening in the the near term re sp.  All too expensive if reading the tea leaves of budget.

Still think ajp should be fired for hamstringing this team with untenable contracts.