Offseason Notes 5
With the MLB Winter Meetings heading up all the headlines for the previous week-plus, there has been very little other San Diego Padres news. The rumors, on the other hand, have been running rampant.
It started with many prominent baseball writers opining that there is no way for the Padres to survive their change of ownership and budget cuts without trading Fernando Tatis Jr. President of baseball operations A.J. Preller did his best to dispel those rumors during his media appearance at the meetings by stating that Tatis was staying put.
The other prevailing rumor was that the Padres would be converting either Mason Miller or Adrian Morejon from the bullpen to the starting rotation. This was at least a credible rumor as Preller had acknowledged it was being considered in previous statements. He stated on Day 1 of the meetings that idea was largely dismissed.
The next rumor floated was that members of the bullpen, Miller and Morejon included, are on the trading block in order to bring back starting pitching.
Preller stated that was not part of the plan, as the bullpen is a strength and he was not interested in diluting that advantage.
The next subject of the rumor mill was Jake Cronenworth, who is considered to be sought after by teams who need a defensively-talented and versatile infielder who is a valuable offensive player.
The Cronenworth rumor seems to occur every offseason since he was signed to an extension that gives him $12 million annually through 2030. Up ‘til now, Cronenworth continues to be a Padre and is considered a leader on the team.
The latest rumors involve Miller, Morejon, Jeremiah Estrada, Nick Pivetta and Ramón Laureano all coveted by the New York Mets, and the Padres are actively in discussions to acquire both pitchers and position players from the Mets’ young prospects and major leaguers (mlbtraderumors).
Coaching decisions
The Padres seem to have a complete coaching staff now, though the announcements have not been made officially. Many of the new coaches have connections to new manager Craig Stammen.
After retaining bench coach Brian Esposito, pitching coach Ruben Niebla, bullpen coach Ben Fritz, first base coach Dave Macias and the two assistant hitting coaches, the Padres named a second bench coach in Randy Knorr. Mike McCoy and Pat O’Sullivan remain as assistant hitting coaches with new hitting coach Steven Souza.
Souza was a special assistant with the Tampa Bay Rays, was a power hitter as a player and seems to reflect the organization shifting its offensive focus to more aggression. Niebla was given a new title as assistant manager as well as pitching coach.
Ryan Goins, hired as an infield coach, was an infield specialist and was on Ron Washington’s staff with the Los Angeles Angels before Washington left due to illness. He was named bench coach after the previous bench coach was named interim manager. Goins was considered a glove-first player as a major leaguer.
Kevin Plawecki has been with the Padres as a catching coach in the minor leagues and will move into that role with the major league team. He was a catcher in both the minor leagues with the Padres and a back up catcher with the Mets and Boston Red Sox. He retired after the 2024 season and assumed a coaching role with the Padres.
Bob Henley, who spent almost his entire baseball career with the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals, has been hired as the new third base coach. He first had the role in 2014-2021 with the Nationals and then went into a player development role. Stammen pitched with the Nationals from 2009-2015 so there is significant familiarity between them.
Minor league contracts
RHP Misael Tamarez, who was a free agent after the 2025 season, re-signed with the organization on Dec. 4. RHP Evan Fitterer also signed a minor league contract as a free agent on Dec. 8.
Robert Suarez signs
Former Padres closer Suarez joined former starter Dylan Cease in signing a free agent contract and earning a big payday. Suarez is committed to the Atlanta Braves for three years and $45 million in a setup/ backup closer role.
Padres to the World Baseball Classic
Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado will be managed by Albert Pujols with the Dominican Republic team. Shortstop Xander Bogaerts will play for the Netherlands team as a native of Aruba. There is a report that Nick Pivetta is considering committing to the Canadian team.
Luis Campusano finishes in winter ball
A.J. Preller stated at the winter meetings that Campusano has finished his time with Tigers de Licey in the Dominican Winter League. He finished with 19 games played and 50 at-bats. His batting line was .200/.293/.340 with a .633 OPS. He had two homers and eight RBI.
Preller has had multiple questions asked regarding Campusano’s future with the team. He will be given another opportunity this spring to show that he belongs on the major league roster. If he is not successful there are no more options for him to be sent to the minors. The options will be to trade him or try to pass him through waivers in order to be optioned.
Category: General Sports
