The San Diego Padres face a turbulent offseason, marked by ownership lawsuits and potential financial constraints. While the team has made limited moves, speculation abounds regarding possible trades involving star players, notably Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado. MLB analyst Harold Reynolds suggests trading Tatis to reconfigure the team's payroll while retaining essential pitching assets, such as Dylan Cease and Michael King. However, insider Jon Heyman reports that the Padres plan to hold onto both Tatis and Machado, discussing other prospects to improve their roster.

A.J. Preller, the Padres' president of baseball operations, acknowledges the challenge of enhancing talent while managing expenses. He hints at upcoming transactions, emphasizing the need for additional hitting and pitching as the team progresses through the offseason.

The San Diego Padres are set to welcome back Xander Bogaerts to the shortstop position in 2025, following manager Mike Shildt's recent announcement. This shift comes on the heels of Ha-Seong Kim's departure to the Tampa Bay Rays, where he signed a free-agent contract. Bogaerts, originally brought in as a shortstop before the 2023 season, shifted to second base last year while Kim took over at shortstop.

As Bogaerts transitions back to shortstop, he will look to recapture the form exhibited during his first decade in the league. Despite struggling at the plate last season with a .264 batting average and battling a significant shoulder injury, Bogaerts previously enjoyed a career OPS+ of 117. He was a valuable asset defensively at second base, earning positive metrics from Statcast.

The upcoming season poses additional challenges for the Padres, who aim for a postseason berth for the fourth time in six years but might face cost-cutting pressures amidst an internal ownership struggle following the passing of owner Peter Seidler.

As the Los Angeles Dodgers showcased their star-studded roster, the San Diego Padres were embroiled in a legal dispute over ownership following the death of Peter Seidler. His widow, Sheel Seidler, has challenged her deceased husband's brothers over control of the franchise, stirring concerns among fans about the team's stability. Meanwhile, the Padres' performance in recent seasons has been impressive, with record attendance and a competitive roster headlined by stars like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado. However, discontent looms as the team has not made significant offseason moves, with Machado himself expressing disappointment over the lack of activity.

General Manager A.J. Preller is reportedly seeking to bolster the roster with additional bats and starting pitchers. In contrast, the Dodgers have made several key signings, including Teoscar Hernández and Blake Snell, further intensifying the rivalry. In light of these developments, fans are left speculating about the Padres’ future, questioning whether the ownership issues might undermine their efforts to compete effectively in the National League West.

Sheel Seidler has initiated a lawsuit against her late husband Peter Seidler's brothers, Matthew and Robert, alleging they have breached their fiduciary duties as trustees of the Seidler Trust. This trust has governed the San Diego Padres since Peter's passing in November 2023. Sheel claims that Peter intended for her to become the team's control person but was disappointed that he did not leave her a trust generating significant income, prioritizing their children instead.

Matthew Seidler responded, asserting that Sheel demanded millions in payments. He further implied that her legal actions adversely impacted the Padres' negotiations with Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki, who eventually signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He claimed that Sheel's lawsuit fueled speculation about relocating the team, which might have driven Sasaki away due to perceived instability within the franchise. The ongoing family dispute casts a pall over the Padres' ownership and roster strategies.

The excitement for the 2025 MLB season is palpable as RotoBaller unveils its early fantasy baseball outfield rankings for 5x5 mixed roto leagues. Highlighting the offseason's most significant event, Juan Soto's record-breaking 15-year, $765 million deal with the New York Mets places him among the top outfielders. Despite this, Soto ranks second behind Aaron Judge, last season's AL MVP, who posted impressive stats with 58 homers and 144 RBIs.

Other notable talents include Corbin Carroll and Fernando Tatis Jr., both shining brightly in the rankings. As drafts approach, players like Dylan Crews and Jasson Dominguez emerge as potential late-round gems, poised to outperform their average draft positions. Comprehensive fantasy resources, including a dedicated Draft Kit, are available to assist players in maximizing their draft strategies for a successful season.