Quote from fenn68 on May 21, 2026, 4:26 pm

Quote from Randy Manese on May 21, 2026, 2:35 pm

Had anyone told me that almost an entire team can tank offensively in the first quarter of the season, I would not have believed them - especially the Padres, who (on paper) should have an offense that is capable of scoring around 5 runs per game.  They do have to come out of it soon, don't they?  Will Croney and Campy come back and help shake up the superstars?  Do they need to re-set some of the bench pieces, like bringing up Taylor, Bowen and maybe Reyes and pulling the plug on Castellanos and Johnson permanently and Song temporarily?

With this poor a showing offensively, someone's head has to roll so the obvious choices are the hitting coaches - it's a shame because Padres generally looked good in ST offensively.  Baseball is a tough game but I've never seen this many high quality players on one team go into such a deep and prolonged slump.  Let's break the hex against the A's!!!

I don't really believe that any of the EP players will be effective in the ML. So, even if not thrilled with the production out of Castellanos, Johnson, and Song so far, I would let this play out a bit longer. Maybe a pre-trade deadline minor deal is the better option.

Frankly if Machado, Merrill, and Tatis don't return to prior form ... not going to cover that for the season. If they do, really don't need to upgrade the bench unless something falls in their lap.

 

Quote from fenn68 on May 21, 2026, 4:32 pm

Did see that Dennis Lin is reporting that Preller is poking around for more bullpen help ... sooner than later.

Padres have one of the most used pen in MLB ... that sets up a burnout scenario down the stretch. At some point need longer starts out of Giolito, Buehler, and Canning and likely some blowouts to minimize use of the high leverage types.

At his point not sure anyone is selling but Lin speculated that Chapman and Hader(!) may be one the target list. Boston is far from being out of a tight AL race so not likely Chapman is a near term option. Hadar is injured (again) and expensive so make little sense.

Maybe a good idea in theory but ... in the near term ... not realistic for a top RP.

Quote from ultratvfan on May 21, 2026, 6:47 pm

Rotation: King, Canning, Vasquez, Buehler, Giolito

On IL: Musgrove, Pivetta, Marquez, Waldron, Darvish

RP: Adam, Estrada, Marinaccio, Matsui, Morejon, Miller, Peralta, Rodriguez

On IL: Brito, Hoeing

I don't know who still has options, but how about this: when Pivetta and Musgrove return we can option Buehler and Canning. Keep Giolito in the rotation if he continues to pitch well.

It would look like this: Pivetta, Musgrove, King Vazquez, Giolito.

If Buehler starts pitching well, either Buehler or Giolito can be sent to the BP and Marinaccio be sent down.

I think the Padres should part ways with Marquez. I don't think Darvish will be back. Time to part ways with him. Anyone thing that if he waves his NTC there would be any team interest in trading for him.

Thoughts?

Quote from fenn68 on May 21, 2026, 8:20 pm

Quote from ultratvfan on May 21, 2026, 6:47 pm

Rotation: King, Canning, Vasquez, Buehler, Giolito

On IL: Musgrove, Pivetta, Marquez, Waldron, Darvish

RP: Adam, Estrada, Marinaccio, Matsui, Morejon, Miller, Peralta, Rodriguez

On IL: Brito, Hoeing

I don't know who still has options, but how about this: when Pivetta and Musgrove return we can option Buehler and Canning. Keep Giolito in the rotation if he continues to pitch well.

It would look like this: Pivetta, Musgrove, King Vazquez, Giolito.

If Buehler starts pitching well, either Buehler or Giolito can be sent to the BP and Marinaccio be sent down.

I think the Padres should part ways with Marquez. I don't think Darvish will be back. Time to part ways with him. Anyone thing that if he waves his NTC there would be any team interest in trading for him.

Thoughts?

As veteran FA ... none can be optioned (as I understand it). Would have to be released. Marinaccio and Waldron are out of options so would have to be put on waivers.

Darvish is not returning and since neither Musgrove nor Pivetta are even throwing yet really doubt they could be available for months (and probably not effective given the layoffs) and even money they don't return at all. Marquez may be ready but may have to be released if the other three currently  starting are just decent.

With zero in EP better than the incumbents ... baring injury ... good chance the King - Vasquez - Giolito - Canning - Buehler starting 5 will be around to the trade deadline ... or longer.

Quote from fenn68 on May 22, 2026, 6:14 am

With Cronenworth out for potentially an extended period and the unknown of his level of productivity upon his return ... is it time to consider a trade for a 2B ... allowing the Platinum glove RF Tatis to return to the OF and keep Castellanos (just not hitting or fielding) out of the line-up? Need to boost the offense ... so an offensive type 2B.

So, what would you give for a "rental" for 2026 with $8MM remaining on his contract who is hitting 319/358/422, 120 wRC+ (6th 2B in MLB), +5.5 dWAR (2nd best 2B in MLB)? A good chance this guy will be available soon given his team is not currently a contender.

If you have not guessed yet ... that player is LUIS ARRAEZ! Yes, he is playing 2B for the Giants ... hitting like his old self ... and at least statistically playing elite defense at 2B.

As a rental and not seeming a lot of other teams setting adding a 2B a priority should require minimal trade chips. Preller has been aggressive in the past making adds before the trade deadline (see Arraez the first time).

As I recall, Preller liked Arraez, teammates liked Arraez, and Arraez liked the team and SD ... seems like something that works for all.

 

 

Quote from Randy Manese on May 22, 2026, 7:00 am

While trading for Arraez is a possibility, I think you have to give Samad Taylor a shot.  He can play a league average 2b plus almost anywhere else on the field including CF.  Has speed and some extra base power for his size so if you don't want to send Song down, he can rotate with Song until Croney comes back and you can DFA Johnson and keep Castellanos for a little bit longer (until the big dogs start, hopefully, to hit).  Am concerned with Croney's lengthy absence after delayed concussion reactions but absolutely necessary to keep him out for as long as it takes for these symptoms to clear up.  When he regains mental clarity, still think he's a keeper and will move toward his norms as the season progresses.

Believe Giants still think they are in the hunt for a playoff spot so not counting on Arraez being available any time soon.

Quote from Randy Manese on May 22, 2026, 7:25 am

With regard to the Padres pitching staff, concur that there is not much in the high minors to draw from so likely the move would come at the trade deadline or a return to health by Pivetta more likely than Musgrove.

On the RP side, a little more complicated because of the impending free agent status of Morejon and Adam.  If new ownership can somehow nail down at least Morejon for multiple seasons, then some possibilities open up.  Morgan should be an easy replacement for Marinaccio once he regains his command.  His walk rate per 9 innings previous to this season was hedging on the high side, but close to league average; what he was successful with is keeping a low hit and a good K rate with his ability to locate most of his pitches.  Might take a few more weeks in EP but I see him coming back soon.  On the LHP side, if can get that Morejon commitment, might have to bite the bullet on DFA'ing Matsui or Peralta who both are at the bottom of our bullpen and are likely at or below major league average and paying out the remainder of the contract.  Hart clearly outperformed both in terms of WHIP and FIP but he had an option remaining.  Hart deserves to be brought up soon as he also can be a more dependable one inning plus RP.  Down the road, Haynes may have chance as a LH RP as could Gutierrez if he returns to form after his injury.

 

Quote from fenn68 on May 22, 2026, 8:26 am

Preller while having 2026 a priority ... he has to think a bit ahead in structuring a pitching staff. Might shape a bit his moves.

SP really up in the air. Only Vasquez is under team control for 2027 ... King and Pivetta (if healthy) have opt outs ... Giolito, Canning, Buehler, and Marquez are FA (plus they are on dirt cheap deals for 2026 and even if Padres want to re-sign them it is going to be a substantial pay increase if they are even "average"). Until proven otherwise, Musgrove an unknown, Darvish is out.

RP looks to be fine as they likely let Adam go (age and projected contact make him a lower priority re-sign).

Morejon becomes an interesting re-signing target ... he is young and very effective so should demand a significant contract. In ST there was talk of converting him back to SP ... and considering the projected issue with 2027 SP can that be a negotiation point in a re-sign? If so, can the Padres cover LHRP going forward?

That brings me to Peralta and Matsui as LHRP. Both could opt out after 2026 (I think). Given LHRP in MLB ... both are much better than they are given credit for (maybe not with the Padres but in MLB). In the 2025-26 timeframe Peralta's ERA is 2.99 and Matsui is 3.44 ... MLB average for LHRP is just over 3.71. Their contracts are not that bad so if Preller wants to move one ... he should have some market. I guess there is a chance of one opting out if his agent sees a better contract on the free market. However, if they choose to sign Morejon as a SP (or don't sign him) ... little LHRP in the queue made worse if Padres moved on from either one.

Also, keep in the back of you minds that France, Andujar, Laureano, and Castellanos are FA after the season ... all are also on low cost contracts and replacement will be costly for their productivity levels.

Looking at one at a time ... maybe workable ... but collectively replacement / re-sign is very costly or have to get very lucky on similar signs for 2027.

Back to the start ... does that 2027 impact moves now? Then throw in the unknowns stemming from a potential lockout and the conditions in a new CBA plus the unknown approach by the new owners (now and going forward).

 

 

Quote from fenn68 on May 22, 2026, 8:45 am

The Padres real evaluation on the return of Cronenworth is critical to making moves. He will remain the long term 2B option but a big difference as to if he returns in a month or not until August or not at all.

I could see them taking a shot with Taylor (2B/LF/CF) ... although his MiL history does not suggest ML success (stats in the PCL aside). I would drop Castellanos not Johnson. Letting Song / Taylor handle 2B and moving Tatis back to RF for an OF of Laureano - Merrill - Tatis. That would still allow for a full rotation of the  more effective trio of Sheets - Andujar - France at 1B/DH. Johnson still adds value as the defensive option in the OF (while Taylor is at 2B).

Taylor and Song both could be optioned, so some flexibility if Cronenworth returns.