This story was excerpted from AJ Cassavell's Padres Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
SAN DIEGO -- The calendar has flipped to 2026, and Padres pitchers and catchers are about five weeks from reporting to Spring Training in Peoria, Ariz. If I had to guess, I’d say general manager A.J. Preller is about halfway done with his work this offseason.
Already, he has re-signed Michael King -- which might end up being the most important move of the winter, given just how badly the Padres needed starting pitching. The addition of Sung-Mun Song solidifies the position-player rotation and gives the bench some much-needed versatility. The team also made a handful of moves to shore up the middle innings and bullpen depth.
So what’s next? Here’s what else the Padres must accomplish this winter:
1. Add to the rotation
The Padres are going to add to their rotation. That much was clear even after King signed.
“It’s not just a cliché: You can never have enough pitching, especially starting pitching,” Preller said then. “So it’s still active, our conversations.”
But where do the Padres find that pitching? They almost certainly wouldn’t splurge again on a frontline starter. So do they scour the free-agent market looking for a discount? Or could Preller pull off a trade for a bigger name?
With Preller, of course, that’s always a possibility. But the Padres’ farm system remains markedly thinner than it once was. Which, of course, is another reason the Padres must add to their rotation this winter. The upper-level starting-pitching depth was depleted amid recent trade sprees. There aren’t many Minor League options to help fill out a starting five.
Right now, the front three of King, Nick Pivetta and Joe Musgrove looks formidable. But there are major questions at the back end of the rotation -- questions that must be addressed in the coming weeks.
2. Find one more bat
As MLB.com executive reporter Mark Feinsand reported, the Padres were in the bidding for corner infielder Kazuma Okamoto before he signed with the Blue Jays over the weekend. Their precise level of interest remains unclear. But that interest makes it pretty clear what the Padres are looking for:
A first baseman.
Sure, Gavin Sheets can play first. Luis Campusano has played there, too. There’s also the option of using Song at first base -- or at second, with Jake Cronenworth sliding to first.
But those options feel like stopgaps in the event of injury. The Padres’ lineup needs another bat, and the only real vacancy is at first base.
A trade is possible; the free-agent market isn’t exactly overflowing with first-base options. There are a couple who might fit (including the still-unsigned Luis Arraez), but the Padres don’t exactly need to splurge. They just need a decent bat, who could slot in somewhere around sixth or seventh in the lineup.
3. Solidify the bench
The Song signing went a long way toward accomplishing this goal. He played mostly third and second base in Korea. But during Song’s introductory news conference, Preller and manager Craig Stammen noted the possibility that he could play some outfield, as well. Essentially, the Padres envision playing Song all over the field, giving them all sorts of versatility.
I still don’t think he’s starting on Opening Day. The lineup feels mostly set -- minus the opening at first base -- which means Song should fill a crucial bench role.
Who else is in that bench mix? Well, Campusano is out of Minor League options, meaning he’ll be exposed to waivers if he doesn’t make the roster. On paper, he’s the backup catcher. But his history as a subpar defender behind the plate makes it imperative that San Diego adds another catcher.
Maybe there’s a spring competition for the spot backing up Freddy Fermin. Maybe there’s room for three catchers. Either way, the Padres could use another backstop.
Which leaves one or two more bench spots -- and Bryce Johnson, Will Wagner, Tirso Ornelas and Mason McCoy as the 40-man roster players vying for them.
4. Look to the future
This part starts with Preller. It’s now 2026. Which means Preller’s contract is up this year. When he’s been asked about his contract situation, Preller hasn’t offered much, but he also doesn’t seem worried about it, noting that he’s busy doing his own job. Padres ownership recently told the San Diego Union-Tribune that the expectation is Preller will receive an extension.
I really don’t think it’s worth getting worked up about Preller’s contract situation until the season starts. But it’s worth monitoring until then.
In the meantime, there are stark realities about the Padres after the 2026 season -- namely that both King and Pivetta can opt out of their contracts, leaving the rotation with major holes once again. Not to mention the fact that the team’s veterans aren’t getting any younger.
As such, I’d expect Preller’s next few weeks to focus on acquiring players -- and particularly pitchers -- with multiple years of contractual control.