San Diego Padres: Three biggest questions entering offseason
The San Diego Padres have a long list of priorities this offseason after hiring a new manager, so here are three questions that will be answered this winter.
The San Diego Padres endured yet another losing season after showing spurts of growth in the first half of the season, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Chris Paddack shined in the first half of the season but the second half was more of the same that Padres fans have been watching the last decade.
Andy Green finally got fired after reportedly losing the clubhouse, so the Padres are looking for a new voice that has come down to Texas Rangers major league player development guru Jayce Tingler or World Series manager Ron Washington.
As I wrote earlier it is a boxing match between A.J. Preller and Ron Fowler.
But what they both agree on is they need to improve in various areas that include starting pitching and outfield help.
The rotation is going to be young again next season with new arms like MacKenzie Gore and Luis Patino arriving at some point during the season, so they are going to need trustable bullpen arms in front of Kirby Yates and Andres Munoz.
The fanbase has been waiting for a postseason appearance ever since Matt Holiday didn’t touch home plate but still took the Rockies to the World Series in 2007.
A. J. Preller is about to endure his most crucial offseason yet because if the team doesn’t take a step forward next season, he could be packing up his things on 100 Park Boulevard.
With that said, here are three questions he will need to answer before Spring Training…
Will the San Diego Padres acquire a frontline starting pitcher?
It’s the money question that fans will be waiting for all winter. Will A.J. Preller pull the trigger on a frontline starter to lead a young rotation that is going to be filled with very talented but inexperienced arms?
Gerrit Cole is the big fish this offseason and he has been rumored to want to play in Southern California and the Padres fit that description.
Along with Joe Maddon and the Los Angeles Angels, the Padres could be in on the bidding but their huge contracts of Manny Machado, Eric Hosmer, and Wil Myers would complicate things.
Myers would have to go if they would want any chance at getting Cole, who is going to want around $300 million in free agency.
So, let’s assume that Cole is out of the question.
Madison Bumgarner, Zack Wheeler, and possibly Stephen Strasburg are out there.
Strasburg seems like the obvious choice because he dominated at San Diego State but it is also most likely that he just restructures his contract and just signs with the Nationals again.
With that said, A.J. Preller’s best route would be by trade. Corey Kluber could become available again and San Diego has expressed interest before. With an abundance of prospects, I think their best route is to trade for a starter.
The next question is involving one of their former All-Stars…
Can the San Diego Padres get rid of Wil Myers and his huge contract?
Wil Myers has not lived up the hype after he made the Home Run Derby and started in the All-Star Game, so much so he was benched at one point in the season.
Myers struck out 168 times last season, and he struggled at times in the outfield. If the Padres want to be able to compete in the free-agent market, Myers’ contract will need to be given to another club that is willing to take a huge risk on him.
Myers is being paid a base salary of $20 million for the remaining four seasons of his $83 million contract after being paid a modest $3 million base salary last season.
A prospective team would want the Padres to eat at least half of his contract and then Preller would need to expect nothing back, as it would be just a salary dump.
Myers has shown that he can be athletic but his stubbornness at the plate is what has cost him the last couple of seasons.
It will be a big point to get rid of Myers’ contract because I don’t see how the Padres can contend with Myers striking out all the time in the middle of the lineup.
The final question is something that could propel them into contention next year…
Will the San Diego Padres acquire a left-handed hitting outfielder?
As I said, Wil Myers has not produced the last few years in the Friars outfield, and there hasn’t been a lot of consistency when it comes to the other two outfielders that are out there.
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Manuel Margot has been great on defense, and while he showed some progress in the second half, he just hasn’t been consistent whatsoever.
Hunter Renfroe was supposed to be the guy, as the Padres showed that they trust him after trading Franmil Reyes in July, but he didn’t have a great second half thanks to an injury.
Nick Martini was acquired through waivers last year and played almost every game since he arrived, which shows how much the Padres need an offensive first outfielder.
So, what are the options?
Well, with Machado, Hosmer, and (at least)half of Myers’ contract, owner Ron Fowler won’t be able to open up the checkbook like he has been able to spend on guys like J.D. Martinez, Marcell Ozuna, or Nicholas Castellanos.
With that said, the trade route is probably Preller’s best bet. Starling Marte has been linked to the club, as the Pirates are going nowhere but down in the NL Central, and Marte could fit in the top of the lineup behind Fernando Tatis Jr.
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David Peralta has also been mentioned as he loves to hit at Petco Park but a trade within the division could be tough.