Padres Seek Additional Power Bat and Starting Pitcher
You’re in for a treat as the San Diego Padres are on the hunt for fresh talent. Notably, they aim to enhance their roster with a powerful bat and a starting pitcher.
Padres Seek Additional Power Bat
The Padres have recently secured a $4 million deal with Miguel Andujar, reinforcing their desire to increase offensive strength. Andujar is set to play primarily as the designated hitter. His versatility also allows him to cover first base, spelling Gavin Sheets against left-handed pitching while sharing DH responsibilities with Sung-mun Song.
Current Bench Dynamics
The Padres struggled with bench depth last season. Currently, they have two definite spots filled by Song and backup catcher Luis Campusano. This leaves two additional openings on their 40-man roster, where only four fringe players are available:
- Bryce Johnson
- Will Wagner
- Mason McCoy
- Tirso Ornelas
Johnson showed promise last season with a .342 batting average over 84 plate appearances, though his result was skewed by a high .442 batting average on balls in play. In contrast, Ornelas is a league-average hitter in Triple-A but has not received significant MLB opportunities. Wagner struggled in Toronto, posting a .225 batting average in 55 MLB games.
Potential Players on the Padres’ Radar
The Padres are exploring various options for additional power hitters. Notable unsigned righty-hitting first basemen include:
- Rhys Hoskins
- Wilmer Flores
- Justin Turner
- Ty France
For designated hitters, available names include:
- Marcell Ozuna
- Mitch Garver
- Andrew McCutchen
Potential trades may involve players like Ryan Mountcastle, Lenyn Sosa, and Ezequiel Duran.
Starting Pitcher Acquisition Plans
On the pitching front, the Padres are also eager to add another starting pitcher. President of Baseball Operations A.J. Preller mentioned the pursuit of a back-end starter. The team previously expressed interest in Framber Valdez before he signed with the Tigers for three years and $115 million.
Current Pitching Rotation Insights
The Padres aim to strengthen their rotation, currently led by:
- Nick Pivetta
- Michael King
- Joe Musgrove
However, talent drops off significantly after these three. Randy Vásquez, who is out of options, is likely to secure one of the final two rotation spots. Other candidates on the 40-man roster include JP Sears, Kyle Hart, and Matt Waldron. Additionally, the team has invited Marco Gonzales and Triston McKenzie to Spring Training on minor league deals.
The Padres are clearly committed to bolstering their roster before the upcoming season, ensuring they remain competitive in the league.
