Padres Notes: Catcher Announces Sudden Retirement, Latest Trade Rumors, Jurickson Profar Update

Oct 6, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; San Diego Padres second baseman Xander Bogaerts (2) celebrates with outfielder Jurickson Profar (10) after hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game two of the NLDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The San Diego Padres lost a former catcher to retirement, but he will join the team as a minor league development coach as he spent a large part of 2024 with San Diego's Triple-A affiliate.

In other news, potential trade piece Dylan Cease had a solid season with the Friars but is a big-name player who could attract major talent via a trade and would prove to be more cost-effective than signing an expensive free agent for a team in need of pitching.

Additionally, two more Padres trade pieces are reportedly not getting much traction in terms of trade value around the league.

The Padres have promising signs to believe that a major candidate to sign Jurickson Profar may not be in the race for the All-Star outfielder. Despite trying to balance the budget this offseason, San Diego can feel a little better about their odds of bringing back the outfielder coming off of a career-best offensive season.

And finally, Roki Sasaki was officially announced as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers Wednesday, and San Diego's ownership feud may have been a major reason why he did not pick the Padres.

Here’s more information on these stories and all the latest Padres news (click the headline for the full article):

Padres Catcher Announces Sudden Retirement, Will Join Coaching Staff

Padres Rumors: MLB Insider Provides Update on Dylan Cease Trade

Padres May Not Get Great Return in Trade for 2 All-Stars

Padres' Top Competitor for Jurickson Profar May Not Spend Enough to Sign Him

Roki Sasaki Reveals Motivation in Signing With Dodgers Over Padres, Blue Jays, Others

Padres Ownership Turmoil May Have Pushed Roki Sasaki to Sign With Dodgers

Padres Sign Former Top Prospect Utility Man in Free Agency

Dominican SS Jhoan De La Cruz (17) officially signed with the San Diego Padres today.

Bonus deal: $1,000,000.

From San Pedro de Macoris, a switch-hitter with bat speed that generates solid contact. Trained by the Ysbel Medina Academy. pic.twitter.com/6GmIZBGOzH

— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) January 22, 2025

When asked what stood out about the Dodgers, Roki Sasaki had a very interesting response:

"The No. 1 thing that stood out was the stability of the front office."

The Padres' ownership turmoil may have hurt their chances to land Sasaki after all.https://t.co/t1YCUiaCLN

— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) January 22, 2025