Quote from fenn68 on February 12, 2026, 6:36 am

With the signing of Bassitt ... the two best potentially on the FA market become Gallen and Giolito ... then arguable a big drop off. Both were viewed in the in that $18MM range with Bassitt.

Not sure how various team front offices are valuing these two ... but both have potential issues that puts a lot of risk in going in for big salary / long term deals. Both are only 30 but:

1. Giolito had a very good 2025 (145 innings / 26 starts in Boston) with a 3.41 ERA ... best since 2019. However, he did miss all of 2024 due to injury ... then the more analytical types who look at some of the modern stats may see some red flags. xFIP 4.45 worst since 2016 (then a rookie with minimal innings) ... K/9 at 7.51 worst since 2018. 2025 an aberration? Maybe not going to risk a long term deal while Giolito's side is pushing for one based on 2025.
2. Gallen had a poor 2025 (192 innings / 33 starts in Arizona) with a 4.83 ERA ... worst ever. xFIP worst since 2019 rookie year ... K/9 worst ever. Then with that risk ... add the fact he turned down a QO requiring the signing team to give up draft picks / international bonus money. Teams somewhat sandwiched in not wanting a long term deal given his 2025 vs not wanting to go short and losing the draft picks / bonus money of maybe a one. year gamble. Push that against Gallen's side ... knowing the passed on a $22MM QO are not going to be an easy sign ... unless Arizona is in play.

How does this play with the Padres? Expect them being out on Gallen. The wild card could be Giolito who may be swayed into a Pivetta type deal knowing how well that worked for Pivetta in SD and depending on how aggressive other teams may be (BALT? ATL?).

Quote from Jeremy Hill on February 12, 2026, 11:42 am

Quote from fenn68 on February 11, 2026, 1:26 pm

On another RHH to be a part-time platoon with Sheets may not need to be a 1B type IF in ST the Padres find that Andujar can handle 1B. As a platoon the player would get only 45-50 starts if limited to 1B but could get more work if useful at other positions plus provide better depth insurance for injuries.

Word out of ST is that Song will be worked at 3B, 2B, 1B, and test out the OF ... so trying to make him the super LHH bench utility guy. I guess he could also serve as the LHH DH if they don't go with Andujar full time (he can hit RHP). Would love a RHH version of that versatility who could potentially platoon with Sheets.

Not going to find a fit for everything but am worried about depth for the SS position. Bogaert is getting the bulk of work (unless injured) and in short fill McCoy is the only real SS on the roster (great defense and zero offense). No potential ML SS talent in AAA. Not seeing Cronenworth at his age becoming a starting SS on a competitive team.

Do the Padres compromise a bit on platoon offense for Sheets and target someone with versatility who is a legit SS? The return of Iglesias?

If Campusano is the 2nd C and Andujar the DH ... only three open slots on the 26 man ... one goes to Song (LHH) ... and need a reserve OF (CF specifically) currently Johnson ... and that only leaves one slot for a RHH platoon with Sheets and INF insurance. On the roster McCoy (SS), Wagner (LHH non-SS), and Ornelas (LHH OF).

What is the bigger downside risk ... Sheets playing vs LHP (or maybe using Campusano vs LHP) or Bogaerts getting an extending injury and using McCoy at SS (or Cronenworth at SS / Song 2B full time)?

Figuring out what is best for that last roster slot may not be a clean a decision as some think even before throwing in who is available and at what cost.

Yeah I don't necessarily think it needs to be a 1B type either. If they think that Andujar, Campusano or maybe even Cronenworth can handle 1B against lefties it opens up some other possibilities.

I also share your concern about SS depth. I don't think there's anyone left in free agency that would be a better fill in than Cronenworth though. We may just have to hope Bogaerts doesn't go down for any significant amount of time.

Taking a quick look at who is left on the market I see guys like Rhys Hoskins, Luis Rengifo, Mike Tauchman, Randal Grichuk and Ramon Urias who should sign cheaply and have some track record against lefties.

I also saw a note in a Dennis Lin article today that said that AJ may be shifting his attention back to the trade market.

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 12, 2026, 11:53 am

I'd be OK with trading two Relievers to get a good Starter.

Matsui/Estrada....or Peralta/Estrada?

Our BP is so deep its crazy right now.

Miller-Morejon-Estrada-Adam-Peralta-Matsui-Morgan-Bradgely-Hoeing-Hart-Hawkins-Acosta-Jacob-Marinaccio-Brito

Take out Estrada & Matsui and we're fine.

Hawkins-Morgan-Bradgely-may be better than either of them.

If Hoeing can stay healthy and he & Hart be the 5th-6th inning guys this Pen lines up very nicely even with a couple subtractions

Quote from fenn68 on February 12, 2026, 11:57 am

Looking at the FA ... hitters or pitchers ... not seeing anything that exciting that likely is not going to require an over pay for his value to the Padres.

So, agree that the trade market seems the more likely route.

Quote from fenn68 on February 12, 2026, 12:04 pm

The Phillies have released outfielder Nick Castellanos, per a club announcement. He’s now a free agent who can sign with any club for the league minimum.

Will be interesting to see if any team bites  on him for league minimum. At one level a non-contender could make the gamble with the hope of flipping him at the trade deadline ($750K). Alternatively any team that needs his type could just sign and for that little just DFA him later ... basically a roll of the dice.

Don't see a fit for the Padres ... no idea who he would bump.

Quote from fenn68 on February 12, 2026, 12:14 pm

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 12, 2026, 12:06 pm

Now that Castellanos has officially been released I wonder how serious a look AJ will give him?

League minimum would be attractive and for him playing on a contender would matter.

Poor defense and apparently not a great attitude but a RH DH/PH off the bench is still needed IMO.

If Sheets is at 1B and the 8 starting slots are filled ... only 5 bench slots with 3 locked in as a back-up C (Campusano) ... Andujar .... Song. That leaves only two open ... need a reserve OF (Johnson for CF) and a reserve INF (McCoy for SS or Wagner). Who goes if Castellanos is added who has not been a 1B (same as Andujar) ... plus he was a below average hitter in 2025 who at best would be part time behind Sheets / Andujar.

Padres could do better even at league minimum. Plus likely Castellanos will sign with a team that has the chance for him to play full-time ... rebuild value before next FA.

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 12, 2026, 12:23 pm

Yeah I typed before I thought it out....hence the delete.

I just know we've been wanting a RH hitting DH that can hit a homer.

Not many teams that would want Castellanos playing every day either though.

 

Quote from fenn68 on February 13, 2026, 9:43 am

Seems as though the Padres are articulating a strategic plan to focus on having their players healthy and at their peaks at the end of the season and in the playoffs.

Have heard Musgrove say he may skip some starts during the season for that reason ... similar theme with King ... and now Adam may not be pushed (even if "ready") a the start of the season. Have to wonder how that plays out with the rest of the roster ... early / mid season days offs for position players (or at least a more programmed use of DH for the likes of Manny, etc) ... skipping a RP in early / mid season games when many would want to have the arm in the game ... etc.

That strategy will (should) have an implication on roster construction / depth charts as they deploy it early in the season. For position players ... a Song covering 3B/2B/LF/1B should yield a lot of playing time. Maybe more time for Andujar at 3B/LF. Also supports the idea of adding a bat that does not clog up DH/1B and can be deployed in the other field positions.

From a pitching standpoint ... may need a clear spot starter to be on the 26 man roster or have arms that can be optioned for a spot starter call-up. Ripple effect is not keeping on the 26 man all short/mid inning RP. Alternatively if they want "bullpen days" that would impact use of the pen leading in and out of that game.

No idea if they start deploying this approach right at the start of the season or they move into it in about a month, two months ... that also shapes the initial roster design.

Tough line to walk of not wanting to lose any games early (they all count) vs the probability of burning out the regulars by August and then take a late season dive. NBA load management strategy to peak in the playoffs.

Quote from Randy Manese on February 13, 2026, 1:09 pm

Machado, in particular, looked both physically and mentally exhausted at the end of the 2025 season having had to carry the team through many of the injuries the position players (and non-producing regulars at c and LF) suffered during the season.  While we are counting on better production from most of them, I like the idea of resting some of the older core players throughout the season.  For this reason the pick-up of Song and Andujar, in particular, could provide that time off the field, even if it is in the DH role.  Don't count out Miranda or Taylor in that mix although they would have to take someone off the roster to add them.  Not a lot of bodies expected to make the team that can be demoted to the minors.

On the pitching side, several of the RP are capable of multiple innings so it still boils down to how many innings can they regularly expect from their SPs.  On the negative side is that pitchers must stay down for 15 days unless replacing an injured pitcher, that cuts down the shuttle between the leagues a bit but could be manageable if planned and the plan is sustainable.  Pitchers, however, are often wildly unpredictable so most of the time you have to go with your best for the longest you can.