San Diego Padres Christmas Wishlist

[Michael Black]

What gifts do fans of the Friar Faithful wish to unwrap for this Christmas season?

This article will provide a glimpse of their Christmas wishlist. 

The most obvious needs are additional starting pitching and first base/designated hitter.

Will it consist of free agent signings or will we get a few trades that will be stocking stuffers under the tree.

It will be a little of both. First we'll explore the free agent market then take a look at a couple of trade scenarios to improve upon the areas of need.

Here is a free agent list at a position or positions of need that should put smiles on any fans face this holiday season.

Free Agent: First Base/DH

The biggest remaining need on offense for the Padres is first base/designated hitter.

In the section below we will list the names of the players that could be targets, then we will choose the option that fits as the best present for the holiday season.

1) Luis Arraez

2) Paul Goldschmidt

3) Marcell Ozuna

Our first gift to be unveiled is.......

First Basemen/DH Luis Arraez 

Although any of the above mentioned players would be a good fit as an option.

We chose Arraez due to the fact he offers the most value on offense. He is a former three time batting champion and three time all-star.

He does not have as much thump as Ozuna or Goldschmidt, but he has a better overall hitting profile. He's younger, will likely cost less, plays multiple positions and bats left-handed. 

The only downside is he isn't very good defensively and doesn't have the power that the team is looking for. He does lengthen the lineup though.

Goldschmidt might be the best choice but is a bit older and is right-handed. The team needs more balance in it's lineup as well.

He theoretically could be a platoon option at DH and first base even with an Arraez acquisition, although I don't see such a scenario in which the team has the financial capital to add both.

As much as adding Ozuna, who has the most powerful bat of the available choices would help. He also offers the least in terms of positional flexibility.

It would almost be assured as a DH only signing and would more than likely cost the most in financial obligations too.

Free Agent: Starting pitching 

The early Christmas present the Friars received with the re-signing of Michael King makes it less imperative to sign a starter now then before his reupping with the team.

That doesn't mean they couldn't use another one, it just makes it less likely to come from the free agent pool.

With that being said, it doesn't hurt to window shop a bit to find that aforementioned stocking stuffer so to speak. Just in case other choices aren't available.

We'll still list a few possible names just in case but the reality is that it'll come from a trade probably before it comes from the free agent pool.

A few names to take note of include. Middle to backend starters such as 

1) Chris Bassitt

2) Lucas Giolito

3) Justin Verlander

As previously mentioned it is less likely that they will add to the starting mix through free agency.

All three of these names would be perfect gifts but the cost is more than the team can afford. Especially after getting King to return.

Which means any other additions made on the position player side or to the starting pitching will come from trades. 

Our second gift to unwrap.

Trade scenarios:

Trade Scenario #1 San Diego Padres and New York Mets 

Padres receive:

SP-Jonah Tong

1B/3B-Mark Vientos

SP prospect-Zach Thornton 

Mets receive:

SP-Nick Pivetta

RP-Jeremiah Estrada

Before you ask why this scenario. Let me explain the reasoning.

Money. It's a matter of fact reason to be honest. This trade will free up the necessary funds to help add Arraez but it will also let them add a few starting pitching options with the savings. 

In this scenario the Padres get two players who will contribute right away while being cost and team controlled while freeing up money for other additional acquisitions.

Tong could fit into the back end of the rotation while Vientos gives the team some position flexibility and a right-handed bat that could provide the same platoon value that Goldschmidt would as a free agent.

They also receive a starting pitching prospect to help rebuild the depth they lost during last seasons trade deadline.

Does it hurt to give away two top contributors from a playoff team? Yes it does. That's the cost of doing business however.

Like president of baseball operations and general manager A.J. Preller says during trades. You have to give up good players to receive good players.

As for the Mets.

They receive a front end starting pitcher in Pivetta who they can either slot in as their "Ace" or a solid number two who's coming off of a career year. While also receiving a lock down set-up reliever in Estrada who can bridge the gap to presumed closer in free agent signing Devin Williams.

Speaking of those pitching additions with the money they saved. We present the second trade scenario.

Another gift from under the mistletoe.

Trade Scenario #2 San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers 

Padres receive:

SP-Freddy Peralta 

Brewers receive:

SP-Randy Vasquez 

SP-J.P. Sears

SP-Matt Waldron

Why this trade could work.

It makes sense for the Padres for two reasons.

The first is Peralta's salary this season. He is scheduled to make $8 million dollars in his last year before free agency. The second is it gives them another front end starter or "Ace" for a reasonably fair return.

Why it would work for the Brewers. 

It gives them three options to step into their rotation immediately for this year. Obviously they don't provide the same upside that Peralta does but it gives them three affordable options with multiple years of team control.

Considering the team trades away three staring pitching options that could contribute sooner rather than later and no prospects from their top 30 are included. It segways right into our third and final trade scenario.

The stocking stuffer.

Trade Scenario #3 San Diego Padres and Washington Nationals 

Padres receive:

SP-Mackenzie Gore

Nationals receive:

SP prospect-Miguel Mendez 

SP prospect-Kash Mayfield 

SP Prospect-Jagger Haynes.

How the Padres benefit.

They get an all-star left-handed starting pitcher they know very well. A former consensus top hundred prospect who was a one time number one draft pick of theirs that was apart of their franchise altering trade for Juan Soto.

He comes with two years of team control and has a very reasonable estimated price tag of $6.5 million for the upcoming year.

He could slot right in the middle of the rotation in between two right-handers on either side.

Nationals return.

The Nationals who are known to be going through a lengthy rebuild, receive three starting pitching prospects in the Padres top ten, who could be apart of their next contention window with many years of team control. 

There is our Padres Christmas Wishlist for 2025.

Did the Faithful get everything they asked for this holiday season? 

If not, please tell us what you would have asked for in your Friars Wishlist.