Padres snagged Castellanos and pitchers Marquez, Canning. Can these low-risk, high-reward February signings deliver for San Diego?
Besides re-signing pitcher Michael King, it was a relatively quiet offseason for the San Diego Padres.
That isn't common with GM A.J. Preller, but questions about the future of the ownership and Preller's contract certainly were at the forefront.
The Padres did extend Preller, which is good news, and the GM added some pieces in February.
The Padres signed former Phillies slugger Nick Castellanos after he was released, then they brought in former Rockies pitcher German Marquez and ex-Mets pitcher Griffin Canning in a series of moves ahead of the first spring training game.
Will any of the signings work out? That remains to be seen, but they can all be considered low-risk, high-reward additions.
Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report had grades for these signings, and Miller gave the Padres an A- grade.
Canning is recovering from a torn Achilles, so he figures to be returning to action sometime in May or maybe even later.
Griffin Canning's Profile
Canning turns 30 years old in May. He spent five seasons with the Los Angeles Angels before making 16 starts for the Mets in 2025.
In total, he has a 32-37 career record with a 4.65 ERA. In 2025, he went 7-3 with a 3.77 ERA before suffering the injury, so he definitely improved after three straight seasons with an ERA over 4.00.
The Padres' staff has Joe Musgrove returning from Tommy John surgery and King returning after an injury-riddled 2025 season, so Canning figures to be an option if there are injuries early in the season.
German Marquez Profile
Maruqez is a name Padres fans know. He spent his entire MLB career with the Colorado Rockies, making his debut in 2016.
He had three straight 10-plus win seasons from 2017 through 2019, and another 12-win season in 2021, which was the year he made the National League All-Star team.
Marquez struggled in 2025, going just 3-16 with a whopping 6.70 ERA, but if he can turn it around, this could be a solid end-of-the-rotation starter for San Diego.
Nick Castellanos Is Already Making Strides
Castellnos figures to be a lock for the Opening Day roster. He has been taking reps at first base, which is a new position, but with first base open in San Diego, he is already making strides in that battle.
Sometimes, these low-risk signings pay dividends, and as spring training goes on, it will be worth watching to see if they can crack the Opening Day roster for San Diego.