[ad_1]
Even after including Xander Bogaerts to an eleven-year, $280MM deal, the Padres are searching for extra, and Jon Heyman of the New York Post stories they’re eager to usher in a beginning pitcher and a nook bat.
The Padres have been busy this winter, signing Bogaerts and getting deep within the markets of Aaron Judge and Trea Turner earlier than they signed elsewhere. They’ve seen starters Mike Clevinger and Sean Manaea depart in free company (though Manaea continues to be accessible), whereas they weakened their depth a bit by dealing MacKenzie Gore to Washington within the Juan Soto commerce, so it makes loads of sense that they’ll now concentrate on bolstering their rotation.
Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove and Blake Snell are at the moment lined up in San Diego’s rotation, whereas the re-signed Nick Martinez is predicted to start out the 2023 season there too (though he wound up within the bullpen after ten begins in 2022). Adrian Morejon is an possibility as a starter, however he solely appeared out of the bullpen final 12 months after getting back from Tommy John surgical procedure. There’s each likelihood the Padres nonetheless view him as a starter, however given he has two choices remaining it wouldn’t damage for them so as to add one other starter to provide them another choice.
The Padres luxurious tax payroll is projected at round $254MM now, simply shy of the second tier of luxurious tax penalties. That’d appear to make it unlikely that they’d pursue somebody like Carlos Rodon – the highest free agent starter accessible – however then once more, it’d be silly to rule San Diego out of something at this level. The Padres did meet with Koudai Senga final month, and have been reported to have curiosity in Seth Lugo as properly, however both of these two or choices like Nathan Eovaldi and Chris Bassitt might make sense. They may additionally look to the commerce market the place somebody like Pablo Lopez could possibly be accessible, however having pulled off some massive trades lately they might be reluctant to half with extra prospects.
A nook bat looks like much less of a necessity for the Padres. It’s not totally clear how the staff will align defensively after bringing in Bogaerts, however there appears an excellent likelihood that Fernando Tatis Jr. (when he returns from suspension) and Soto deal with the outfield corners, and Manny Machado and Jake Cronenworth take the infield spots, particularly after AJ Preller stated (via The Athletic) Bogaerts would no less than start as their on a regular basis shortstop. Tatis will return in late-April so that they received’t be with out him lengthy, however the staff could wish to rotate a few of their starters by the DH spot and so a utility-type free agent addition might make some sense there.
[ad_2]
Source link
