The San Diego Padres are on a mission to strengthen their starting rotation and add some extra firepower to their lineup before the season kicks off. A.J. Preller, the President of Baseball Operations, has made it clear that these are their top priorities, as he reiterated during Spring Training.
There are still some free agent starters out there who could make a significant impact, like Zac Gallen, Lucas Giolito, and others. However, the Padres seem to be operating under tight financial constraints, which could limit their options. This might lead them to consider reclamation projects like Walker Buehler or Germán Márquez, if they decide to go the free agency route.
But here's where it gets controversial... Dennis Lin from The Athletic suggests that the Padres might be more inclined to acquire a starter through a trade. It's an interesting idea, but it's easier said than done at this stage of the game. Most teams are entering the season with hopes of contending, and pitching injuries are bound to pile up as exhibition games begin. This could make it challenging for teams to part with their starters.
One potential trade partner could be the rebuilding Nationals, who might be willing to part with a cheap sixth starter like Mitchell Parker or Jake Irvin. These players have shown durability and improved performance in recent years. Similarly, Andre Pallante with the Cardinals could be an option, as he has the ability to eat up innings.
The Royals have also been active in the market, looking for outfield help. However, the Padres would find it difficult to part with their outfielders, especially with stars like Ramón Laureano and Fernando Tatis Jr. on the roster. Unless the Royals are interested in a riskier option like Tirso Ornelas, a trade between these teams seems unlikely.
Teams are generally reluctant to trade affordable pitchers with high upside, especially those who can be more than just fifth or sixth starters. The Padres have an impressive lineup of star players, but their major league roster lacks depth. This makes it challenging to trade for an average starter without weakening another area of the team. The bullpen could be an exception, with players like Jeremiah Estrada, David Morgan, and Bradgley Rodriguez potentially being used as trade chips.
As things stand, the Padres' top three starters are Nick Pivetta, Michael King, and Joe Musgrove. Right-hander Randy Vásquez had a solid season last year, despite a low strikeout rate. His impressive finish in September, with a higher strikeout rate and a low walk rate, has given him an edge over other contenders for the season-opening rotation spot.
If the Padres do add another starter, Vásquez is likely to be the favorite to complete the rotation ahead of JP Sears, Kyle Hart, and non-roster invitees Marco Gonzales and Triston McKenzie. Vásquez, being out of options, will definitely be on the MLB roster. Sears and Hart, on the other hand, can be sent back to Triple-A for another year.
While the Padres are also looking to add another bat to their bench, it seems unlikely that they'll make a move at catcher. Preller explained that they explored the catching market during the offseason but didn't find any upgrades over their current pairing of Freddy Fermin and Luis Campusano. Fermin is known for his defensive skills, while Campusano has shown offensive prowess in Triple-A. The Padres' decision to keep Campusano as a bat-first backup, despite his defensive questions, indicates their confidence in his abilities.
Preller also addressed his own contract situation, stating that he's entering the final year of his deal and hasn't reached an extension agreement yet. This will remain a topic of discussion until a decision is made, but Preller downplayed any concerns, emphasizing that his focus is on building a winning team.
So, will the Padres make any big moves before Opening Day? Only time will tell, but it's clear that they're working hard to improve their roster and give their fans something to cheer about.
