The Padres' difficulties began in the 2024 postseason, where they came heartbreakingly close to clinching the National League Championship Series (NLCS) against their division rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Losing by just one game, their season ended in an unprecedented offensive drought, failing to score for 24 consecutive innings. While this was a stark contrast to their powerful regular-season performance, it also underscored the team’s capability to contend at the highest level.
This offseason has been notably quiet for the Padres in terms of acquisitions, with no significant additions to bolster their roster. The team is currently in arbitration with Michael King, who emerged as arguably their best pitcher last season. Blake Snell, San Diego's beloved former Cy Young Award winning starting pitcher, signing with the Dodgers was also significant blow.
Kyle Higashioka, last season's clutch catcher, has also moved on, further thinning the team's depth. Rumors are swirling that the New York Yankees will sign our fan-favorite utility man Ha-Seong Kim, and Jurickson Profar, who was considered the heart and soul of the 2024 Padres team, seems likely to leave, adding to the list of key players the team has lost or failed to sign.
The latest heartbreak came with the news that star Japanese pitcher, Roki Sasaki, had signed with the Dodgers, not the Padres. Now, news broke today that Tanner Scott, the top free agent relief pitcher, who was nearly unhittable for the Padres last season, has signed with the Dodgers. What next? Profar?
These moves by the Dodgers further strengthens their roster while the Padres watch from the sidelines.
Many are voicing complaints about the Dodgers' strategy of deferring large salaries to sidestep the luxury tax, enabling them to secure high-caliber players over recent years. Estimates suggest that the Dodgers currently hold $1.375 billion in deferred income from active contracts, with a staggering $680 million attributed solely to Shohei Ohtani. Talk about dodging - the tax, that is!
Adding to the on-field challenges, the Padres are now embroiled in an ownership dispute stemming from the 2023 passing of beloved owner, Peter Seidler. Earlier this month, a lawsuit was filed by Seidler's widow, Sheel, against Seidler's brothers, Bob and Matt. This will undoubtedly lead to significant rifts within the ownership and upper management. Such a well-publicized internal conflict is also obviously distracting from the focus on team building and could potentially affect decisions critical to the franchise's future. Why couldn't Sheel wait to file until after signing some players?
Let's not plunge into despair just yet. The Padres still boast a formidable offensive lineup with stars like Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts, and the young phenom Jackson Merrill, who just had a Rookie of the Year-caliber season at only 21. We're also lucky to still have Luis Arráez (for now), who made history last season by becoming the first player in MLB to win three consecutive batting titles with three different teams.
On the mound, though, there are some concerns. Yu Darvish, at 38, had a solid 2024 season, providing some stability, but he's no spring chicken. Michael King, fresh off his remarkable 2024 performance, is with us for another year, though his arbitration situation is less than ideal. Dylan Cease, another key pitcher, is expected to be traded before the 2025 season kicks off. With Joe Musgrove sidelined for the year due to Tommy John surgery, it's clear that acquiring one or two starting pitchers and bolstering the bullpen with some reliable relievers should be a top priority for the Friars.
As the Padres prepare for the 2025 season, the lack of notable signings, coupled with the departure of key players, paints a grim picture. Fans are left wondering about the direction of the team, with the leadership under scrutiny due to the ownership lawsuit. With the Dodgers continuing to enhance their roster, the challenge for the Padres is not just to recover from this difficult period but to reassert themselves as contenders in a division where the competition is getting steeper by the day.
All eyes in San Diego will be on how the Padres address these challenges, with hopes that they can turn the tide and restore the excitement that has long been associated with the team in America's Finest City.
This offseason has been notably quiet for the Padres in terms of acquisitions, with no significant additions to bolster their roster. The team is currently in arbitration with Michael King, who emerged as arguably their best pitcher last season. Blake Snell, San Diego's beloved former Cy Young Award winning starting pitcher, signing with the Dodgers was also significant blow.
Kyle Higashioka, last season's clutch catcher, has also moved on, further thinning the team's depth. Rumors are swirling that the New York Yankees will sign our fan-favorite utility man Ha-Seong Kim, and Jurickson Profar, who was considered the heart and soul of the 2024 Padres team, seems likely to leave, adding to the list of key players the team has lost or failed to sign.
The latest heartbreak came with the news that star Japanese pitcher, Roki Sasaki, had signed with the Dodgers, not the Padres. Now, news broke today that Tanner Scott, the top free agent relief pitcher, who was nearly unhittable for the Padres last season, has signed with the Dodgers. What next? Profar?
These moves by the Dodgers further strengthens their roster while the Padres watch from the sidelines.
Many are voicing complaints about the Dodgers' strategy of deferring large salaries to sidestep the luxury tax, enabling them to secure high-caliber players over recent years. Estimates suggest that the Dodgers currently hold $1.375 billion in deferred income from active contracts, with a staggering $680 million attributed solely to Shohei Ohtani. Talk about dodging - the tax, that is!
Deferred $ on Active Contracts
— Spotrac (@spotrac)
Shohei Ohtani: $680M
Mookie Betts: $115M
Blake Snell: $66M
Freddie Freeman: $57M
Will Smith: $50M
Tommy Edman: $25M
Teoscar Hernandez: $23.5M
Tanner Scott: $21M
Total: $1.375B
Let's not plunge into despair just yet. The Padres still boast a formidable offensive lineup with stars like Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts, and the young phenom Jackson Merrill, who just had a Rookie of the Year-caliber season at only 21. We're also lucky to still have Luis Arráez (for now), who made history last season by becoming the first player in MLB to win three consecutive batting titles with three different teams.
On the mound, though, there are some concerns. Yu Darvish, at 38, had a solid 2024 season, providing some stability, but he's no spring chicken. Michael King, fresh off his remarkable 2024 performance, is with us for another year, though his arbitration situation is less than ideal. Dylan Cease, another key pitcher, is expected to be traded before the 2025 season kicks off. With Joe Musgrove sidelined for the year due to Tommy John surgery, it's clear that acquiring one or two starting pitchers and bolstering the bullpen with some reliable relievers should be a top priority for the Friars.
As the Padres prepare for the 2025 season, the lack of notable signings, coupled with the departure of key players, paints a grim picture. Fans are left wondering about the direction of the team, with the leadership under scrutiny due to the ownership lawsuit. With the Dodgers continuing to enhance their roster, the challenge for the Padres is not just to recover from this difficult period but to reassert themselves as contenders in a division where the competition is getting steeper by the day.
All eyes in San Diego will be on how the Padres address these challenges, with hopes that they can turn the tide and restore the excitement that has long been associated with the team in America's Finest City.
