Quote from Randy Manese on February 17, 2026, 12:23 pm

McKenzie, Gonzales and Buehler are on minor league contracts so don't have to be brought up unless they are healthy and can contribute regularly at the bottom of the rotation.  Marquez and Canning are recovering from injury so both can be put on the IL to start the season until deemed fully healthy and ready to compete.  It could come down to Sears, Hoeing(who I think is still getting consideration as a SP) or, strangely enough, Waldron fighting for the last spot and on a very very short leash; the first two have an option remaining.  Pitchers are so unpredictable so until we start hearing evaluations coming out of camp, anything is possible, including adding even more pitchers to the mix.

Quote from fenn68 on February 17, 2026, 12:30 pm

February 17th: The Padres made it official today, announcing that they have signed Canning to a one-year deal with a mutual option for 2027. Mutual options are almost never picked up by both sides, so that provision is likely just to allow the Padres to kick part of the payment into the future in the form of a buyout. The full financial details of Canning’s deal still haven’t been reported. Outfielder Tirso Ornelas has been designated for assignment as the corresponding move.

Not surprised on Ornelas but not sure why he was off first. Possible he is fringe but would clear waivers and get signed back on a minors deal. Maybe easier to clear waivers than any pitcher on bubble.

There must be some "technical" reason why they don't put Darvish on the 60 day while they are trying to restructure his future.

Quote from fenn68 on February 17, 2026, 3:35 pm

Financial loose ends:

San Diego Union-Tribune reports that Canning is guaranteed $2.5MM in the form of a $1MM salary and $1.5MM buyout on that option, with another $1.5MM available via performance bonuses.

According to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune, Marquez gets a $1MM salary followed by a $750K buyout on the mutual option. Marquez will also have the chance to unlock an extra $3.25MM in performance bonuses.

According to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune, Buehler will make $1.5MM if added to the roster and could also access performance bonuses worth $2.5MM on the deal.

 

Quote from cnystrom62 on February 18, 2026, 7:56 am

Quote from fenn68 on February 17, 2026, 7:12 am

Just for background for some 1B/DH/LF options looking at 2025:

1. Laureano (488 PA) ... 138 wRC+ (137 v RHP / 139 v LHP) ... well above career but hard to find a better option for a full time role in LF
2. Andujar (341 PA) ... 125 wRC+ (125 v RHP / 108 v LHP) ... numbers that could justify a full time DH role since he is a poor fielder
3. Sheets (545 PA) ... 111 wRC+ (119 v RHP / 89 v LHP) ... off a career year with his best v LHP but legit 1B option (even if platooned)
4. France (496 PA) ... 92 wRC+ (93 v RHP / 90 v LHP) ... on minors contract ... off season in 2025 but not really a big bat vs LHP
5. Castellanos (589 PA) ... 90 wRC+ (91 v RHP / 87 v LHP) ... not that impressive for a LHP platoon

All these player have been around for some time and sure 2025 could be an outlier but all are past the development stage and maybe in decline.

So, still seeing some softness vs LHP as a platoon for Sheets. Maybe Preller keeps looking?

Everyone seems to be discounting France's gold glove from last year.

Admittedly this is uninformed opinion before any spring games, but I like Laureano in LF and France at 1B over Sheets. They both are the best the Padres have at those positions. All of the other 1B candidates are hopeful experiments. Strong defense makes the pitchers that much better. Stay in the games early.

Save the big bats for DH and PH.

Platoon Andujar (vRHP) and Sheets (vLHP) at DH.

Castellanos and Song need to show something in spring training to earn more playing time.

 

Quote from fenn68 on February 18, 2026, 8:29 am

Quote from cnystrom62 on February 18, 2026, 7:56 am

Quote from fenn68 on February 17, 2026, 7:12 am

Just for background for some 1B/DH/LF options looking at 2025:

1. Laureano (488 PA) ... 138 wRC+ (137 v RHP / 139 v LHP) ... well above career but hard to find a better option for a full time role in LF
2. Andujar (341 PA) ... 125 wRC+ (125 v RHP / 108 v LHP) ... numbers that could justify a full time DH role since he is a poor fielder
3. Sheets (545 PA) ... 111 wRC+ (119 v RHP / 89 v LHP) ... off a career year with his best v LHP but legit 1B option (even if platooned)
4. France (496 PA) ... 92 wRC+ (93 v RHP / 90 v LHP) ... on minors contract ... off season in 2025 but not really a big bat vs LHP
5. Castellanos (589 PA) ... 90 wRC+ (91 v RHP / 87 v LHP) ... not that impressive for a LHP platoon

All these player have been around for some time and sure 2025 could be an outlier but all are past the development stage and maybe in decline.

So, still seeing some softness vs LHP as a platoon for Sheets. Maybe Preller keeps looking?

Everyone seems to be discounting France's gold glove from last year.

Admittedly this is uninformed opinion before any spring games, but I like Laureano in LF and France at 1B over Sheets. They both are the best the Padres have at those positions. All of the other 1B candidates are hopeful experiments. Strong defense makes the pitchers that much better. Stay in the games early.

Save the big bats for DH and PH.

Platoon Andujar (vRHP) and Sheets (vLHP) at DH.

Castellanos and Song need to show something in spring training to earn more playing time.

 

My guess the scenario would be ONE of France or Castellanos makes the 26 man roster ... not both. Both were below average hitters in 2025 so a bit of a ST battle of defense vs power. Don't see Sheets, Andujar, Song, Campusano, or Johnson being cut.

Could have a scenario if ST can't make the call where France starts in AAA as a non-roster and start the season with Castellanos then if Castellanos hits like Gurriel last season he will cut and France added.

 

Quote from fenn68 on February 20, 2026, 4:59 am

Two interesting interviews with  two PHIL based sports media members concerning Castellanos.

Neither said Castellanos was a "bad guy" BUT neither had him as a good signing.

First, on the basics ... one described him as the worst defensive RF in baseball and don't get deceived by his zero errors since he gets to nothing in the field. Second, they clearly noted is decline in offensive production over the past two years.

Second, his character. Both basically said he was a "good guy" BUT then followed that up with comments that don't really support that. Suggesting he has "quirky" personality (that is kind in my view) ... what they described in his interaction with the media / teammates would seem more like a "jerk".

One observation was that no PHIL teammates came out to support him or make any comments upon his departure ... suggesting they just wanted to disengage. One other suggested that he wore out his welcome after a couple of years because of his character. Plus, he apparently had an ongoing problem with the manager (who got the PHILS consistently into the playoffs) ... an open problem because the manager never played in the ML which he harped upon.

Padres signed him ... so locally the team and the local media are hyping him / not broaching the PHIL commentary. Lot of focus on his early years' production. Would not expect otherwise.

ST may turn into a bigger evaluation time on Castellanos ... and with minimal dollars committed by the Padres if he does not make a clear case I can see him bumped by France or some PTNL.

Given his below average offense in 2025 (in a hitter's friendly ballpark) combined with his bad defense in the OF (don't expect a 33 year old bad fielder through his history as a 3B/RF suddenly becoming anything more than a bad defensive 1B) ... that alone should put a lot of question as to his making the roster (at the expense of someone else making the roster). Then roll in the questions on his character ... might make him the odd man out.

Laureano, Andujar, and Sheets all performed better than Castellanos in 2025 and there are only so many AB in LF/1B/DH. If he only platoons with Sheets ... maybe only 25% of the starts limiting the AB (he is not going to be a happy camper). For me, a contending team, when considering the arc of a 6 month season, can take less risk with alternatives that has more versatility / reliability with a slot on the 26 man.

In the next 6 weeks alternatives can emerge but for now would opt for France who gives better 1B defense (legit platoon for Sheets), legit bat for 150-200 AB, plus could allow Campusano to DH while providing "emergency catcher" or a RHH 3B when Manny DH.

 

Quote from BoosterSD on February 20, 2026, 6:11 am

In essence, this is just a repeat of the Hosmer situation with less money on the line. Hosmer and Machado had the Miami connection (same as Castellanos) and his production was slipping, including his glove.

I agree, Castellanos has to prove he still has something left in the tank. Otherwise, we are giving up a roster spot for Manny to have a bestie on the team.

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 20, 2026, 7:30 am

Maybe more like the Gurriel situation considering he was really only brought in as a favor to Manny

 

Quote from fenn68 on February 20, 2026, 8:04 am

Manny also had a lot of influence in hiring two of his BALT coaches back in the 2020-21 timeframe: Bobby Dickerson and Wayne Kirby ... that did not work well either as I recall.