The San Diego Padres are having a slow offseason, which is atypical for the A.J. Preller-led franchise. They need to make a big move soon.
The San Diego Padres are having an atypical offseason thus far and it might hinder their chances at making the postseason in 2026.
The only notable moves the Padres have made are re-signing right-hander Michael King to a three-year, $75 million contract and signing Korean Baseball Organization infielder Sung-Mun Song to a four-year, $15 million deal.
Unfortunately for General Manager A.J. Preller, the franchise is looking for a buyer. That means the team has been actively trying to cut payroll and budget, which doesn’t allow Preller to be his normal, splash-making self.
The team desperately needs more starting pitching depth and could use another bat or two if they want to compete with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have signed the best position player and reliever in free agency this year.
As of right now, I don’t think anybody in their right mind would think that the Padres have any chance in the National League West with their current roster. There has to be a big move that Preller can make that won’t break the bank and will improve the team significantly.
ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez boldly predicts that Preller will “do something big” as the offseason winds down.
“At some point, a big move is coming. What that looks like is anybody's guess, but with the Padres' championship window closing tighter with each passing year, Preller isn't about to just let the Dodgers run away with another division title and create more separation from the rest of the National League,” Gonzalez wrote Friday.
“It doesn't matter if money is tight or if his system is dried up; he'll find a way to add impact talent, because it's what he does and, at times to a fault, it's what he covets.”
With two-time All-Star lefty Framber Valdez the biggest free agent available, he could be someone Preller targets. The Baltimore Orioles are the frontrunner to land him after the New York Mets landed right-hander Freddy Peralta from the Milwaukee Brewers, but Preller could sneak a competitive offer in there.
Valdez is rumored to get a contract in the ballpark of six-years, $180 million. In a regular year, Preller and the Padres would have had this done already if they were interested. But with the team cutting costs, Preller would have to offer a smaller contract if he doesn’t free up a lot of money elsewhere.
Given the budgetary constraints, the team losing money over the last few years and the possible sale of the franchise, I doubt the Padres make a huge splash move unless it’s via trade. But then again, Preller has his ways.