Stuart Shaffer

The Padres' group of recently injured SPs suggests that a six man rotation would be the best way to start the season.

All 50 states have approximately the same overall tax levels. However, they use various ways of getting the money from their citizens and visitors. Income and property taxes are more 'in your face' taxes than other revenue sources, such as sales taxes. A high money earner such as Kelly, working on a contract, is going to be acutely aware of the income tax bite. However, he'll probably never notice the sales taxes he pays every year. (Comment: I think Kelly and Nick Martinez are the two most overpaid pitchers in this year's FA class.)

1. I think the question of bench/utility players is mostly unsettled at the moment. Castellanos, Andujar and Song will make the 26 man, but Taylor, France, Johnson, Miranda are all still candidates. 2. Note that Vasquez's velocity is up this spring. He's taking advantage of the brief outings to throw harder so the 95 mph fastball might not last, but he's also getting the best results of any SP candidate. Results matter.

Signing Song, Andujar, and Castellanos, and talking up Campusano as a keeper apparently leaves just one position player spot available to begin 2026. The decision on that last spot often turns on back-up MI who can play SS vs. a fourth OF who can play CF. I suspect most managers, looking at the defensive capabilities of the Padres' current 12 players, would say they need both a backup CF and a backup 2B/SS. As it happens, Mr. Preller signed a young player who can play both MI and CF: Samad Taylor. Watch his performance this spring.

Canning and Marquez establish Mr. Preller's price range. I think he needs one more potential SP, and FA Jon Gray (late of TEX) fits the bill, if he can pass a physical.

1. As with Arenado, the rapid decline of Castellanos in 2025 makes me worry about Machado and Bogaerts. All are essentially the same age. On the hopeful side, the last thing to go on Castellanos is likely to be his ability to hit LH pitchers, but that fell off last season along with everything else. However, the selling point for the contract is its cost and the fact that the alternatives aren't any better. 2. I was hoping Mr. Preller would sign Canning. NYM made him a breaking ball pitcher and that helped a little. The Padres' pitching coach should help even more. Preller still needs two more pitchers to compensate for his bereft farm system.

Mr. Seidler/Preller made Cronenworth almost untradeable when they decided to buy out his career.

Mr. Preller's apparent pursuit of Goldschmidt even after signing Andujar implies he wants another RH hitter. Now that Goldschmidt is gone, I think the other RH FAs aren't worth pursuing. A few days ago, a writer suggested Christian Encarnacion-Strand (CIN) as a good substitute. I agree with him, and would add Ronny Mauricio (NYM). Both players are available and likely to be sent to AAA after ST because NYM and CIN have full IFs without them. Both are controllable over the next few years, partially compensating for SD's empty farm system. Both have 60-70 grade power; both will K too often. Mauricio is currently masquerading as a SH but is really a LH hitter; he has a legitimate chance to become a power hitting 2B/SS. E-S will hit homers and can play an average 1B/3B. Mr. Preller should complete his position player roster with power hitters. The potential bench players currently on the 40 man have essentially no power. The Padres can't afford to carry them.

I like your Encarnacion-Strand idea. If Mr. Preller uses a trade to get another RH corner player, E-S or Mark Vientos (NYM) would be worth a try. Cheap homers (and SD needs more homers) and many Ks, but controllable players who would help compensate for Preller's empty farm system.

Putting Gavin Sheets at 1B isn't much of a gamble. He'll be a little above average defensively and, hopefully, a little above average offensively. The only time the Padres gambled on 1B was when Mr. Preller, for no good reason, bizarrely bought out Eric Hosmer's average career at an All-Star price.

Randy Vasquez has two attributes that endear him to management: He gets out there when it's his turn, and he generally gives you what he's got. Those are valuable assets. Also, Vasquez's development improves the Padres' grade on the Soto trade. So far, by trading Soto to NYY, they've gotten two useful SPs, and two seasons of Cease, who also was sometimes useful. If Brito ever pitches again, maybe he'll help too.

Compare the statistics you presented for Castellanos with the same stats for Paul Goldschmidt.

1. It would not have occurred to me to list those 3 FA SPs in a poll for the Padres. 2. Now that LA has Kyle Tucker, the Dodgers are a LH heavy lineup. Therefore, Mr. Preller and other serious GMs should be looking for more LH SPs. Try a poll using available LH pitchers.

Another reason for Bryce Johnson to not get complacent.

How many former Padres minor leaguers were on the list?