Despite a slow start and financial constraints, the Padres build around their core, adding key pieces for a playoff push with new leadership.
The San Diego Padres have been a team to watch in free agency and in trade talks ever since AJ. Preller became the GM.
However, this time around, it was a slow start to the offseason. The Padres re-signed pitcher Michael King to a team-friendly three-year deal that includes opt-outs.
The Padres then signed Korean infielder Sung-mun Song to a four-year deal. Song was the former teammate of former Padres infielder Ha-Seong Kim, but the new addition figures to be a reserve player to begin his tenure in San Diego.
Then, the Padres signed veteran slugger Miguel Andujar to a one-year deal, but it has still been a slow start for San Diego.
Prior to the Andujar signing, Jim Bowden of The Athletic had grades for each team's offseason.
For the Padres, he gave them a B- grade. Prior to Andujar's one-year deal, here were the notable moves San Diego made.
LHP Kyle Hart, 1-year, $1 million
RHP Michael King 3-years, $75 million
INF Sung Mun Song 4-years, $15 million
Bowden said the biggest question is whether or not first-time manager Craig Stammen can lead the Padres, which is one of his former teams, to the postseason.
Hart was with San Diego this past season, and bringing back King was a big move, and one that seemed unlikely to happen early on despite a change of events.
The Padres did see Dylan Cease sign with the Toronto Blue Jays, Luis Arraez go to the San Francisco Giants, and Ryan O'Hearn sign a well-deserved two-year deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates, although those three returning to San Diego was always viewed as a longshot.
The big issue for San Diego is that Bowden says they have "financially hamstrung by long-term contracts" such as Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts, but the Padres have been reluctant to make a big trade and even attempt to move off of any of them, and rightfully so.
On the other hand, the Los Angeles Dodgers hit big (what else is new), by signing All-Star closer Edwin Diaz and top free agent Kyle Tucker in a massive set of moves.
Still, the Padres made the playoffs this past season, and they are bringing back a large chunk of their roster with a new manager and some new additions, so there is plenty of hope for this team.
The question is: Did the Andujar signing do more to make the Padres get a higher grade? Right now, that remains to be seen, and while Andujar is a solid bat to add to the lineup or bench, he doesn't appear to have a spot in the everyay lineup, at least not right now.
And, knowing AJ Preller, San Diego is far from over in making moves, even with Spring Training approaching quickly.