Padres Seeking Pitching, Left-Handed Bat: Report
Trading Juan Soto and Trent Grisham created a hole in the Padres' roster for a left-handed bat. Letting Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha sign with other teams also left San Diego desperate for pitching.
On Tuesday, Robert Murray of The Baseball Insiders reported the Padres were active on both fronts, looking for pitching and a left-handed bat.
I know he is looking at the pitching market, among other things. They could also use another left-handed bat in that lineup. Preller … has been quite inactive most of this winter. That silence, it might be pretty close to being over. … He’s trying some different things.
On Wednesday, the Padres agreed to terms with left-handed reliever Wandy Peralta on a four-year contract. They now have a third left-hander in the bullpen to pair with Tom Cosgrove and Yuki Matsui.
Cosgrove was excellent last year as a rookie (1.75 ERA, .974 WHIP in 54 games), while Matsui is entering his first year in Major League Baseball after 10 seasons in Japan.
The Padres still only have three left-handed hitters to deploy against right-handed pitching: Jake Cronenworth, Brett Sullivan, and Tucupita Marcano. With only two listed outfielders on the 40-man roster, one hitter on the free agent market would make all kinds of sense.
Former National League MVP Cody Bellinger is likely to enter February without a contract. He's familiar with the National League West from his time with the Dodgers (2017-22). However, he likely priced himself out of the Padres' range after a resurgent 2023 season with the Chicago Cubs.
From there, the talent available in free agency drops off significantly, littered with mostly veterans past their prime years. Eddie Rosario and David Peralta represent the best of the bunch. They would offer plus defense in left field and could be counted on to hit near the league average.
A reunion with Jurickson Profar could make sense for San Diego too. He returned to the team for 14 games last year and hit very well (.295/.367/.409). He played four positions (left field, right field, first base, second base) in addition to designated hitter during that time.
If the Padres aren't done acquiring pitchers, there are quality starters left on the market.
Rumors have circulated recently that the Padres have shown interest in right-handed starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen. He might be the best pitcher at the tier the Padres are shopping.
Other, more established veterans are available as well. Hyun-Jin Ryu (who turns 37 in March) and Zack Greinke (40) can still put together solid outings on any given day.
Corey Kluber (38 in April) had a 4.34 ERA in 31 games with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2022. However, over the last five years, he has only started 64 games. In 15 games (nine starts) last season with the Red Sox, he went 3-6 with a 7.04 ERA.
Brad Keller might have the highest upside of any pitcher still available. Thoracic outlet syndrome limited him to 15 games last season with the Kansas City Royals; when he was healthy he posted a 4.57 ERA.
At this stage of the offseason, any signing comes with inherent risk. Since most of the Padres' free agents targets could fall into the "bargain bin," the upside could be well worth the risk.
