Padres active at Meetings, with more to come
San Diego trades for outfielder Jay, adds 4 players in Rule 5 Draft
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A year ago, Padres general manager A.J. Preller utilized the Winter Meetings to lay the groundwork for several notable deals that occurred during the following weeks.
Will that happen again this offseason?
There are still several notable items on the Padres' wish list between now and the start of Spring Training, and some of those pieces could be added during the coming weeks.
:: Winter Meetings highlights ::
That's not to say Preller and the Padres weren't active in Nashville. In fact, they finished the Meetings with a flurry of activity.
Preller traded for an outfielder (Jon Jay) and then added four potential pieces for 2016 in the Rule 5 Draft -- highlighted by trading with the Rockies for 22-year-old flamethrower Luis Perdomo. The Rockies selected Perdomo from the Cardinals in the Major League phase of the Rule 5 Draft, then sent him to the Padres for cash considerations or a player to be named.
In all, the Padres added two players with their Rule 5 picks (Josh Martin and Blake Smith), got Jabari Blash from the A's to complete the Yonder Alonso deal and acquired Perdomo on Thursday.
• Padres utilize Rule 5 Draft to net 4 players
"I think this continues with finding a way to add talent. With spots on the roster we cleared up, we looked at it as a chance to add four guys who can make the Major League club," Preller said. "I think at the end, they were four guys we liked. They'll come to Spring Training with a chance to compete."
In terms of this offseason compared to his first as GM, when he acquired Matt Kemp, Justin Upton and Wil Myers, Preller noted that he's gone about building the roster a little differently this time around.
But it's clear that he's nowhere near done with acquiring the players first-year manager Andy Green will put on the field in 2016.
Deals done
The Padres made a deal for a left-handed-hitting outfielder in Jay, sending infielder Jedd Gyorko to the Cardinals. Jay will get a chance to win the center-field job and projects to hit at or near the top of the order. Finding a left-handed batter was critical for the Padres, who ranked 27th in the Majors in OPS against right-handed pitching (.689) during 2015.
• Padres acquire Jay, send Gyorko to Cards
Rule 5
There's a good chance the four players the Padres acquired in the Rule 5 Draft won't all stick on the roster for the entire season. Of the four, Perdomo is the marquee name.
Also on Thursday, the Padres lost 24-year-old right-handed pitcher Wilson Santos to the Giants in the Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 Draft. Santos had a 3.69 ERA in three Minor League stops in 2015.
Goals accomplished
Along with the lefty-hitting Jay, time will tell on the Rule 5 guys, but Smith and Martin peg as relievers who could potentially have an impact in the bullpen. The Padres will look at Perdomo as a starting pitcher entering Spring Training. Blash has mostly been a right fielder, but he can play left field.
Unfinished business
Grab a pencil, as Preller's wish list is still pretty long. The team still needs to find a left fielder, preferably a left-handed hitter. Shortstop remains a high priority, and the Padres could land one sooner rather than later. Preller would like to add a starting pitcher (preferably a lefty) and, even with the additions of Smith and Martin on Thursday, the club will be looking for bullpen depth.
GM's bottom line
"We're definitely continuing to search all options, free agency and the trade route." -- Preller