Quote from fenn68 on February 24, 2026, 1:03 pm

Agree on SS logic if Bogaerts gets injured .... non-IL Cronenworth is the short term fill and McCoy (who has options) will be in AAA for coverage if a long term IL for Bogaerts ... maybe just be called up for INF back-up (outstanding defense) letting Cronenwortrh hold SS for as long as he can. Song and/or Taylor could backfill 2B. McCoy's bat will not play in the ML but might get used at SS if the rest of the line-up his really creating offense ... at least some, No realistic other options if you care anything about defense.

If a major long term injury ... Preller will be scouring the trade market for at least a legit serviceable option.

Quote from fenn68 on February 24, 2026, 1:20 pm

Quote from Randy Manese on February 24, 2026, 10:53 am

I hadn't picked up on McKenzie's velocity increase but clearly he did not have the necessary command.  I'm still hoping he can turn it around because we definitely need the depth at SP.

Did hear on the broadcast the higher velocity ... so encouraging. Hopefully he gets his command in place.

I am confused on the rules connected with veteran FA signings ... and are they the same if signed to a ML vs a MiL contract.

1. Pretty sure teams cannot trade a FA signing until Jun 15 (without their permission).
2. 40 man roster, clearly some have no minor league options and, put on waivers and cleared, can refuse minor league assignment ... and some may have to be just put on release waivers.
3. Minor League signings of veterans usually comes with opt outs on various dates if not added tot he 26 man roster

Canning and Marquez are 40 man issues ... Buehler, Gonzalez, McKenzie are non-roster issues ... plus Waldron and Marinaccio are without options (so is Vasquez but consider him a lock vs waivers).

Got the sense Buehler (and maybe Gonzalez) has an opt out by opening day. For them if they look good in ST have to think some other team may want them on a major league deal if they return to FA. So, any depth may evaporate at the end of ST.

If Canning and Adam are healthy ... hard to see how Marquez, Buehler, Gonzalez, McKenzie, Waldron, Marinaccio make the 26 man roster... and if they are any go0d not have another team sign them.

Interesting.

Quote from Randy Manese on February 26, 2026, 9:24 am

As of today, if we assume Waldron, Matsui, Canning and Darvish are all on injured lists, then I'm guessing we have the following opening day staff:

SP:  King, Pivetta, Musgrove, Vasquez, Marquez

RP: Miller, Morejon, Estrada, Adam, Peralta, Morgan, Hart and Marinaccio, who has no options left

Should Marinaccio falter the rest of ST, have several candidates, led by Rodriguez to take his place.  Don't see anyone else coming to the fore for SP, unless Buehler surprises.  Should that happen, probably start Buehler in long relief/6th SP to build him up in case we have issues with the other 5.

 

Quote from fenn68 on February 26, 2026, 9:50 am

Quote from Randy Manese on February 26, 2026, 9:24 am

As of today, if we assume Waldron, Matsui, Canning and Darvish are all on injured lists, then I'm guessing we have the following opening day staff:

SP:  King, Pivetta, Musgrove, Vasquez, Marquez

RP: Miller, Morejon, Estrada, Adam, Peralta, Morgan, Hart and Marinaccio, who has no options left

Should Marinaccio falter the rest of ST, have several candidates, led by Rodriguez to take his place.  Don't see anyone else coming to the fore for SP, unless Buehler surprises.  Should that happen, probably start Buehler in long relief/6th SP to build him up in case we have issues with the other 5.

 

Adam is also a "potential" IL to start the season if they want to take minimum risk with his quad and fielding.

One month for a lot to change.

Quote from fenn68 on February 28, 2026, 9:12 am

Rumor that the Padres are "interested in" Zack Littell ... FA RHSP.

Considering in each of the past two season he had ERA under 4.00 and had 29 and 32 starts ... profiles as a good / reliable mid to lower rotation arm ... likely better than Sears or any of the current options for #5 and lengthens the SP options for a 6 man rotation. He is has good control but a weakness for yielding HR ... but PETCO (and Dodger stadium and SF) may help minimize that. He is only about 30.

He has yet to sign ... so guessing his demand is keeping teams at arms length. One rumor had PHIL offering in the $6MM range ... clearly too low given his recent work. Another has him seeking in the $13MM range.

Given Preller's creativity ... a multi-year deal with opt outs and a low 2026 with a ton of incentives (think Pivetta last year) might get it done. Keep in mind that Pivetta will opt for FA after the season, King might opt out, Darvish is out leaving only Musgrove as a proven / reliable option for 2027 ... a multi-year sign could be of short and longer term benefit ... under the right contract.

King - Pivetta - Musgrove - Vasquez - Littell as the core 5 with Canning #6 / long relief when healthy should win more than the current set-up and set up a better chance of the playoffs.

 

Quote from fenn68 on March 1, 2026, 1:24 pm

The Padres have signed outfielder Alex Verdugo to a minor league contract, the San Diego Union-Tribune’s Kevin Acee reports.  Verdugo has been a free agent since he was released by the Braves last July.

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Bit of a surprise ... not good recently but I guess an interesting "look and see" for depth.

Quote from fenn68 on March 1, 2026, 1:34 pm

Quote from fenn68 on March 1, 2026, 1:24 pm

The Padres have signed outfielder Alex Verdugo to a minor league contract, the San Diego Union-Tribune’s Kevin Acee reports.  Verdugo has been a free agent since he was released by the Braves last July.

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Bit of a surprise ... not good recently but I guess an interesting "look and see" for depth.

Trying to see where he might hook on ... maybe a LHH OF bench piece / platoon with Laureano / LHH DH ... career-wise he hit RHP pretty well ... no defense though. ST injury insurance? No idea who he would bump otherwise.

 

Quote from Randy Manese on March 1, 2026, 2:20 pm

Not a big fan of Verdugo.  Reputation of not being a team player.  El Paso already has a decent OF and most of them hit left-handed.  Looks like strictly insurance.

Quote from fenn68 on March 3, 2026, 1:35 pm

Padres had a sub par offense for most of last season due to some real holes in the line-up ... yet made the playoffs with 90 wins. Maybe a bit under reported is the POTENTIAL improvement based on the current players in camp. Consider (using wRC+ 2025 as a baseline):

C: 25th (70) replaced by Fermin at 77 which would move them to #22

1B: 19th (99) replaced by Sheets at 111 which would move them to #14

LF: 19th (94) replaced by Laureano at 138 which would move them to #1 (and yes don't expect that from Laureano but still expect well above 94)

DH: 22nd (98) replaced by Andujar at 125 which would move them to #6 (see comment on Laureano)

Yes others will be in the mix for those slots and not saying they will achieve those levels BUT does POTENTIALLY set up a significant improvement over a poor 162 games in 2025. Key is still the offense from the other five core bats but the line-up should be longer and stronger ... with just these modest moves.