Inbox: Who could the Padres call up next?

SAN DIEGO -- Three weeks into the season, the Padres sit a half-game behind the Dodgers in the National League West. Even with a recent three-game losing streak, the Padres are off to their best start since 2010. So, without further ado, let's get to your questions:

Outside of pitchers, who is the next player to be called up?
-- Evan

The Padres seem to be calling up a different pitcher every day. But offensively, it's been the same group from the start. Luis Urias, who was promoted last week when Franchy Cordero landed on the injured list, is the only exception. I see five very different possibilities for the next callup. Let’s count down, five to one:

5. Austin Allen: Allen could be useful as a third backstop, and the Padres desperately need a fearsome lefty bat in Cordero’s absence. Plus, his presence could allow Green to pinch-hit with Francisco Mejia, while still having cover at catcher.

4. Ty France: France has raked at Triple-A El Paso this season. Maybe the Padres get him some reps at second. Maybe they just add another bat to the bench. In any case, France could be hitting his way to the big leagues.

3. Chris Stewart: Mejia has started slowly, and the Padres might look to get him more regular reps at Triple-A. If that’s the case, the veteran Stewart would almost certainly be promoted to serve as a traditional backup for Austin Hedges.

2. Esteban Quiroz: Quiroz is reaching base at an excellent clip in El Paso, and with the Padres’ second basemen off to a dreadful start, he could work his way to the Majors as a lefty-hitting platoon option, at the very least.

1. Josh Naylor: The Padres’ outfield is overflowing with right-handed bats, but they lack a lefty presence – whether in the lineup or on the bench. Naylor’s defense is shoddy, but he’s big league ready at the plate, and there’s obvious opportunity for him to impact games -- if the Padres are OK with his reps being cut.

Is A.J. Preller having conversations with teams for an innings eater? Also, what's the amount of interest in Dallas Keuchel?
-- Glenn T., Santee

Preller is having lots of conversations with lots of people about lots of things. It's his job to do so. But this much seems certain: He isn't looking for an "innings eater" whose only purpose is eating innings.

It's entirely possible that the Padres add to their rotation -- whether they sign a free agent or make a midseason trade. But they won't do so merely because they need someone to fill innings. They'd prefer those innings go to a young starter, even if it taxes the bullpen a bit. Already this season, Nick Margevicius and Pedro Avila have been somewhat effective. Logan Allen is waiting in the wings as well.

As for Keuchel, he's certainly more than just an innings eater. He'd sit toward the top of the rotation. The Padres are still looking big picture with their roster planning, and Keuchel, at 31, doesn't fit that endgame perfectly. But if the price is right, and if the Padres keep playing winning baseball, their thinking might change.

Will Fernando Tatis Jr. be given a chance to hit higher in the lineup at some point this season?
-- Adam, San Diego

Yes, and it might happen soon. Tatis has all the tools you'd want in a top-three hitter. He gets on base. He wreaks havoc on the bases. And he can change a game all by himself.

That said, Tatis is 20, and he's thrived during his first month in the big leagues. The Padres seem content to ride that wave. If he's having success hitting in the No. 6 spot, why mess with it?

Eventually, Tatis will become a middle-of-the-order bat, perhaps filling the No. 2 spot ahead of Manny Machado for most of the next decade. This year, he might move to the leadoff spot, if the Padres are still struggling there. For now, they want him to keep doing what he's been doing.

Are we doing the outfield roller coaster all season long? Or will there be a trade? Franmil Reyes needs to play every day.
-- Frankie C., Tijuana

Reyes is playing every day. Literally. The Padres have played 19 games, and he's played in all 19.

Sure, Reyes has only started 14 of them. But that's part of the plan. The Padres think there's a serious benefit to an outfield rotation in which Reyes, Wil Myers and Manuel Margot all get occasional time off. (At this point, it's pretty clear that Hunter Renfroe is the bench option of the group.) Plus, every night, the Padres know they have a big-time righty bat to serve as a pinch-hitter.

Will there be a trade? That's been the question on everyone's mind since Reyes became a force last summer. It's certainly possible, and Renfroe's probably the likeliest to be dealt. But Preller clearly values his corner outfielders more than his rival GMs do. And until now, he's been content to hang onto all three.