There are literally thousands of youngsters throughout San Diego making their want lists earlier than Christmas however for the die-hard Padres followers, possibly they don’t have any bodily items they need. Perhaps their want is for A.J. Preller to amass particular gamers.
Be happy to place your want record within the feedback. Right here’s mine:
Signal Roki Sasaki
Duh.
It’s clear the Padres aren’t spending massive cash (they could really decrease payroll) and so they want beginning pitching so what’s higher than signing the perfect 23-year-old Japanese pitcher to an inexpensive deal? Nothing.
The rotation already wanted reinforcements if Joe Musgrove didn’t need to get Tommy John surgical procedure however now it’s much more necessary for Preller to amass not simply depth however entrance line caliber arms. From what I’ve learn and seen, Sasaki has the potential to fill that function.
Yu Darvish, it’s time to get your recruiting hat on.
Signal Elias Díaz and/or Martín Maldonado
Not going to lie—I didn’t need this to be on my want record. I hoped Kyle Higashioka would’ve already signed again however he went to Texas on a reasonably affordable contract so my needs modified a bit bit.
There aren’t nice sensible free agent choices out there however Diaz and Maldonado may are available in San Diego’s worth vary. Diaz was dangerous sufficient to be launched final season by Colorado and he didn’t get a lot time when the Padres picked him up so I’m undecided there’s going to be numerous demand for him.
He’s nonetheless interesting although as a result of he has 7+ years within the massive leagues and is above common behind the plate, which is required with Luis Campusano because the beginning catcher as of now. Him (or Maldonado) mentoring Ethan Salas throughout Spring Coaching is a optimistic too.
Maldonado can pop one each now and again down on the backside of the order and he had numerous postseason expertise with the Astros. If that Houston pitching employees trusted him, then I’m certain San Diego’s will as nicely.
Convey again Jurickson Profar
This one may get tough if there turns into too excessive of a requirement for him but when he indicators elsewhere, it’ll be like when Wil Myers was sporting a Reds uniform. It simply didn’t look proper. There are simply sure guys who belong in San Diego and Profar’s one in every of them.
Who is aware of if he’ll be that good once more in 2025 however there’s little question in my thoughts Profar’s hungry to win a championship and dropping his manufacturing (24 HR, .839 OPS, 85 RBI) would actually be disappointing.
There are some intriguing free agent left fielders (Alex Verdugo, Eloy Jimenez, Tommy Pham, Jesse Winker) however all of them include dangers.
Purchase a pair extra starters
Whether or not or not they land Sasaki subsequent month, this crew wants a number of starters. Groups these days need to count on that a number of starters will miss time of their seasons. Shoot, take a look at the Dodgers final 12 months with what number of arms they’d however then they had been placing collectively bullpen video games in October due to all of the accidents.
Who is aware of if Dylan Stop will get moved however let’s say he stays. The rotation can be Stop, Michael King, Yu Darvish, after which who? There’s no one written in pen—simply pencil (Matt Waldron and Randy Vasquez). I don’t suppose the Padres need to go the entire season having to depend on these two to remain wholesome and fill innings.
Some might imagine different groups don’t need Padres prospects anymore however 12 months after 12 months groups find yourself buying their prospects so I’d be shocked if a commerce isn’t made to amass controllable pitching.
May they go the free agent route? Certain, however even back-end starters coming off not so nice years are in all probability getting round $7 million a 12 months. Can the Padres afford to do this when it’s not simply beginning pitching they want?
