Quote from fenn68 on February 15, 2026, 8:21 am

A couple of questions that have to be resolved as the roster develops:

1. When the signings of Canning and Marquez become official the roster moves to 42 and will require two offsetting move. Options
   1. Darvish to 60 day IL (likely) ... side note as consideration in Darvish's status resolution is insurance ... on the 60 day will get health coverage as he recovers and potentially Padres have insurance salary against part of his salary if injured that kick in if on the IL. So, maybe some other factors that make a flat out retirement / negotiated settlement tricky.
   2. Another 60 day IL player ... but remember the 60 day does not start until opening day so the play can't return until late May ... however if a pitcher can have a 30 day rehab along with extended ST ... Brito ended 2025 on 60 day and ticketed for the minors ... possible.
   3. Trade ... probably a RP for a non-roster prospect. Not for a key 2026 return but maybe for the future or payroll relief ... crowded pen
   4. DFA ...
2. How much work do some players get in position they have little (or no) experience to see if they can be viable options there if needed:
   1. Song ... 3B in Korea with a little 2B and even less 1B but the Padres want to test in in the OF ... plus with no reserve SS will they give him reps at SS?
   2. Sheets, Andujar, and Castellanos have had little or no time at 1B in the ML ... none are perceived as plus defenders ... so is there a competition for who gets the defensive assignment?
3. How careful are they with Adam and Canning returning from injury ... especially considering a pretty stacked staff. Start the season on the IL? Also, where does Marquez stand? Last season had some injury issues even as returning from TJ ... also a potential for a slow progression.

Quote from Randy Manese on February 15, 2026, 10:41 am

ESPN reported (erroneously?) that Marquez was signed to a minor league deal with a contingency for a lot more money should he make the 40 man.  Really doesn't matter - have a lot of options to get down to the 40 man.  I wonder if Bud Black had any input into getting Marques and how involved he will be with some of the pitchers.  Guess that Niebla's call.

Quote from brent wolff on February 15, 2026, 10:54 am

Quote from fenn68 on February 15, 2026, 8:21 am

A couple of questions that have to be resolved as the roster develops:

1. When the signings of Canning and Marquez become official the roster moves to 42 and will require two offsetting move. Options
   1. Darvish to 60 day IL (likely) ... side note as consideration in Darvish's status resolution is insurance ... on the 60 day will get health coverage as he recovers and potentially Padres have insurance salary against part of his salary if injured that kick in if on the IL. So, maybe some other factors that make a flat out retirement / negotiated settlement tricky.
   2. Another 60 day IL player ... but remember the 60 day does not start until opening day so the play can't return until late May ... however if a pitcher can have a 30 day rehab along with extended ST ... Brito ended 2025 on 60 day and ticketed for the minors ... possible.
   3. Trade ... probably a RP for a non-roster prospect. Not for a key 2026 return but maybe for the future or payroll relief ... crowded pen
   4. DFA ...
2. How much work do some players get in position they have little (or no) experience to see if they can be viable options there if needed:
   1. Song ... 3B in Korea with a little 2B and even less 1B but the Padres want to test in in the OF ... plus with no reserve SS will they give him reps at SS?
   2. Sheets, Andujar, and Castellanos have had little or no time at 1B in the ML ... none are perceived as plus defenders ... so is there a competition for who gets the defensive assignment?
3. How careful are they with Adam and Canning returning from injury ... especially considering a pretty stacked staff. Start the season on the IL? Also, where does Marquez stand? Last season had some injury issues even as returning from TJ ... also a potential for a slow progression.

@Fenn, Sheets looked pretty good at 1B last year in the spot duty he got there.  Much better than Arrarez.  I have no problems with him being the strong side of the platoon at 1B.  Hopefully, the offseason work Castellanos put in at 1B pays off, his numbers both offensively and defensively really declined last.  Hopefully, a change of scenery will do Castellanos a lot of good.  Andujar, is not really a good defender regardless of where you put him, prefer him mainly at DH.  Go Pads!

Quote from fenn68 on February 15, 2026, 12:52 pm

Quote from Randy Manese on February 15, 2026, 10:41 am

ESPN reported (erroneously?) that Marquez was signed to a minor league deal with a contingency for a lot more money should he make the 40 man.  Really doesn't matter - have a lot of options to get down to the 40 man.  I wonder if Bud Black had any input into getting Marques and how involved he will be with some of the pitchers.  Guess that Niebla's call.

Would have to think Black had a high recommendation to the Padres on the signing ... worked with him during both the highs and lows. During the season probably lets Niebla work with Marquez ... new voice in Niebla can't really be helped by a second voice in Marquez' ear. Maybe Black just works with Niebla on what he saw during 2025.

The minor league deal works from a roster standpoint at this point. We will see when the contract is announced ... Roster Resource has him on a ML deal.

Mechanics now ... opening day is the goal.

Quote from fenn68 on February 16, 2026, 5:27 am

Just to keep us guessing ... listened to a NBC7 sports report this a.m. and the reporter said Preller is still actively pursuing more upgrades to the roster ... both via low cost FA and via trade.

No idea which way he will go (never do) but given the current roster ... maybe be just as interesting who he moves off the roster (trade / DFA) as who he may add (and what position). Earlier he said he was NOT pursuing another catcher (but as we know that can change on a dime).

Stay tuned!

Quote from fenn68 on February 16, 2026, 7:30 am

The Padres are expected to sign first baseman Ty France to a minor league deal, reports Dennis Lin of The Athletic. The agreement includes an invitation to MLB Spring Training. France spent time in the big leagues with the Twins and the Blue Jays last season. The veteran infielder is a client of Equity Baseball.

Like adding France into the mix but curious as to the thinking given Sheets, Castellano, and Andujar all in the DH/1B mix. Sure insurance in AAA if that is where he starts on the minor league contract. Unless one of them goes, hard to see France on the roster.

I guess if the Padres think they can live with one of these guys in LF ... and Preller see a beneficial trade ... could move Laureano (one year / $6.5MM). Can't trade Andujar as a FA sign until June 15 without his consent ... doubt they want to deal the LHH Sheets ... no market for Castellanos (not sure they can trade him either).

 

Quote from fenn68 on February 16, 2026, 7:31 am

The Padres and president of baseball operations A.J. Preller have agreed to a multi-year contract extension, per a team announcement. The exact terms of Preller’s new deal are not yet known.

Seems as though the Padres are tying up loose ends early.

Quote from Jeremy Hill on February 16, 2026, 9:51 am

Marquez makes more sense as a minor league signing. When I first saw the headline that's what I assumed it would be. I hope that's what it ends up as.

It looks like we'll have a healthy spring competition for that last bench spot as the complimentary 1B/DH type. With Castellanos and France added to Miranda and Solak there's an interesting mix in camp.

With all of these additions in place and an extension signed is AJ done? He maintained all along that he was focusing on the roster ahead of an extension. Is this what we're rolling with or will he come up with another late spring splash?

Quote from BoosterSD on February 16, 2026, 11:12 am

I think that the France signing changes this battle entirely, considering he is now the best defensive option at 1B on the team. Then Sheets and Andujar will have some split at DH and for Sheets maybe two starts a week at 1B with the right pitching matchup.

IF Castellanos makes the team, it will be as Manny's bestie and 1st option as a PH.

Spring Training performance will probably have a lot to say about that.