Padres need reinforcements. Discover three potential free agent signings—a frontline starter, versatile infielder, and veteran catcher—to ignite their quiet offseason.
The San Diego Padres have been quiet so far this offseason, with their two biggest moved beng re-signing starting pitcher Michael King and bringing over Korean infielder Sung-Mun Song on a $15 million deal. Though they haven't brought in much help, they have seen some faces leave for greener pastures in free agency.
Starting pitcher Dylan Cease headed for the Toronto Blue Jays back in December on a massive $210 million deal. Reliever Robert Suarez and first baseman Ryan O’Hearn joined Cease in leaving San Diego this winter, signing with the Atlanta Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates, respectively.
Though the financial situation for the Padres isn’t ideal, general manager A.J. Preller needs to make more moves this offseason. Here are three free agents the Padres could turn around their quiet offseason with:
Ranger Suarez, LHP
There are a few front-of-the-rotation starters still available in free agency, such as Framber Valdez, Zac Gallen, and Suarez. Suarez, at 30 years old, had the best 2025 season of them all. He posted a 3.20 ERA across 157 ⅓ innings for the Philadelphia Phillies last season. The knock on Suarez is his innings logged over the years, as his 2025 total was the most of his career. Still, even with missed time on the mound, Suarez recorded the most WAR of any starter left on the market. With their thin depth in the starting rotation, adding Suarez would bring immense relief to Padres fans.
Willi Castro, IF/OF
Assuming first baseman Luis Arraez is gone in 2026, the Padres will have a hole to fill in their infield. Jake Cronenworth can play second and first base, giving San Diego flexibility in how it decides to fill its infield. If the Padres land Castro, he’d become the second baseman as Cronenworth slides over to first. Castro, 28, can play all over the field, bringing even more value to a Padres team that could use a bit more depth. Splitting 2025 with the Minnesota Twins and Chicago Cubs, Castro posted a .679 OPS. He’s just one season removed from being an All-Star.
J.T. Realmuto, C
The Padres traded for catcher Freddy Fermin last season, but he had a worse second half than he did before the trade. They can't quite trust fellow catcher Luis Campusano yet, as evidenced by his -31 OPS+, meaning they could use some help at the position. Though Realmuto saw his first season of below-average hitting at 34 years old, he could be a great short-term rental for the Friars. His bat, regression considered, is still an improvement from what the Padres have at their disposal right now.