LAS VEGAS -- Make no mistake: The Padres aren't done adding to their rotation this offseason. All five places in their Opening Day starting five remain available, and it'll clearly be a top priority at this week's Winter Meetings in Las Vegas.
But the long-term makeup of the pitching staff suddenly seems a bit more solid. On Friday, the club finalized its deal with free-agent right-hander Garrett Richards. He's recovering from Tommy John surgery, and he might not be back this season. But Richards is viewed as an important piece for 2020.
Richards isn't the only starter who won't crack the Opening Day roster yet could still make an impact. Dinelson Lamet is eyeing a midseason return from last April's Tommy John surgery. Prospects Chris Paddack, Logan Allen and Cal Quantrill are also expected to arrive in San Diego at some point this year.
"Getting Richards and getting Lamet back healthy, that's part of the idea," said Padres general manager A.J. Preller. "We're getting the rotation into a better place. And we're going to see a lot of guys from the system maybe break through ... Paddack, Allen, Cal Quantrill, they'll have [an] opportunity this year. From that standpoint, you see the makings of a staff that's going to improve and get better."

Of course, that doesn't exactly set the Padres up for success in the early part of the 2019 season. Eric Lauer and Joey Lucchesi -- both rookies last season -- are favorites for rotation places. But after them, it's wide open.
In-house options like Matt Strahm and Robbie Erlin are intriguing. Both were coming off surgery last year and spent most of the season in the bullpen. Both will be given a chance to earn starting jobs in Spring Training.
Strahm and Erlin join a list of about 10 names who will enter camp with a shot at the rotation. And that list could grow this week.
"We're always on the lookout -- free agency, trades -- we're always looking to improve our staff," Preller said. "That'll be part of our discussions for sure this week."
The Padres, whose starting rotation had the worst ERA in the National League last season, want to make their spring competition as fierce as they possibly can. In theory, that competition would continue into the regular season, when their prospects arrive and their right-handers return from injury.
Still, Preller said he's not counting on anything from Richards in 2019. Should he recover in time to make a few September starts, it would be viewed as a bonus. The $15.5 million investment is clearly with the '20 season in mind.
"This year is for getting his body and his mind back to 100 percent," Preller said. "The last few years he's had some injuries that he's tried to pitch through and tried to rehab. It's probably nice for him to be completely healthy.
"Whether it's at the end of this year or the beginning part of next year, that he's got plenty of time to get strong, get right and make sure his arm feels 100 percent."
Whenever Richards is back on the mound, Preller and Co. feel they'll be adding an integral piece to a fast-improving pitching staff.