The San Diego Padres are facing a crucial offseason, and the upcoming Winter Meetings are where the rubber meets the road. With key players hitting free agency and significant holes to fill, the Padres' future hangs in the balance.
The 2025 Winter Meetings are just around the corner, with all 30 MLB teams converging in Orlando, Florida, to strategize trades, free agency moves, and overall team management. But here's where it gets interesting: the Padres haven't exactly been lighting the fuse on the offseason, with their only move being re-signing pitcher Kyle Hart to a one-year deal. Adding to the pressure, their ace, Dylan Cease, signed a massive seven-year, $210 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.
With a roster overhaul looming, the Padres must address some pressing questions during the Winter Meetings.
3 Burning Questions the Padres Must Answer
1. How Will the Padres Bolster Their Starting Rotation?
This is the elephant in the room. The Padres' president of baseball operations, A.J. Preller, is well aware of the dire need for starting pitching. While Nick Pivetta, the team's most reliable starter, remains, the other four rotation spots are wide open. The departure of Cease, the likely exit of Michael King, and Yu Darvish's recovery from Tommy John surgery leave a gaping void.
Fortunately for Preller, this free-agent class offers some enticing options. The market includes names like Framber Valdez, Ranger Suárez, Zac Gallen, and Merrill Kelly. Beyond domestic talent, international prospects like Tatsuya Imai could also be game-changers. The Padres' farm system isn't exactly brimming with talent, making this offseason a critical time to act. Adding one or two starting pitchers could be the difference between contention and disappointment in 2026.
2. Who Will Be the First Baseman in 2026?
This is a topic that doesn't get enough attention. With Luis Arráez and Ryan O'Hearn becoming unrestricted free agents, the Padres face a significant decision. Given their focus on starting pitching, it's unlikely they'll re-sign both. The Padres could realistically let both walk. This scenario becomes viable because Jake Cronenworth has experience at first base, and moving him from second base wouldn't be a terrible move.
If this is the route they take, Preller will need to explore the trade market for a second baseman. A potential target could be Brendan Donovan from the St. Louis Cardinals. Alternatively, the Padres could pursue Willson Contreras, who is open to waiving his no-trade clause. The front office has multiple paths to consider, but a quick resolution is crucial, as the first base market is less robust than the starting pitching pool.
3. Should A.J. Preller Target a Second Catcher?
In the first half of 2025, the Padres arguably had the worst catching tandem in baseball. The combination of Elías Díaz and Martín Maldonado underperformed. That's why the team traded for Freddy Fermin, who was a much better hitter. However, Fermin isn't an everyday catcher. Therefore, Preller should consider bringing in another catcher to complement him.
One intriguing possibility is Adley Rutschman of the Baltimore Orioles. Rutschman had a down year in 2025. The Orioles' recent extension of young catching prospect Samuel Basallo adds another layer to this situation. A move for Rutschman could make sense for the Padres, especially considering former Padres manager Mike Shildt is now an upper-level coordinator for the Orioles. This move could be a wise decision for Preller.
In conclusion, the Padres need to address starting pitching, secure their future at first/second base, and consider adding a catcher. What do you think? Will the Padres make the right moves? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
The 2025 Winter Meetings begin on December 7th.
