The San Diego Padres are facing a challenging offseason as they seek to reduce payroll. Key players under consideration for trades include Luis Arraez and Jake Cronenworth. While trading these players could alleviate some financial burden, MLB insider Mark Feinsand cautions that the Padres may not secure sufficient value in return. Arraez is set to earn $14 million in his final season before free agency, and Cronenworth has six years and $73 million left on his contract, making substantial returns uncertain.
The Padres had hoped to trade players after acquiring Roki Sasaki, but that plan fell through when Sasaki opted to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers instead. The Dodgers have been active in the free-agent market, signing former Padres players Blake Snell, Tanner Scott, and Kirby Yates, further intensifying the pressure on San Diego. Meanwhile, other NL West rivals, like the San Francisco Giants and Arizona Diamondbacks, have strengthened their rosters with notable signings.
Despite the urgency, A.J. Preller, the Padres' president of baseball operations, suggests the team's strategy may involve making moves later in the offseason, expressing confidence in the core roster while acknowledging the need for additional talent. The Padres must navigate the difficult balance of shedding payroll while enhancing team performance amidst a competitive division.
