The Major League Baseball offseason continues to stay red hot each season as all 30 MLB clubs rebuild for the following MLB schedule. That is exactly what the San Diego Padres did during the MLB offseason leading into the 2023 MLB schedule while building a roster to compete for a World Series. When you look at the returning Padres lineup and pitching rotation, it is loaded with talent, including the likes of Manny Machado and Juan Soto carrying the middle of the lineup while Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove look to anchor the pitching rotation. In addition, the Padres will receive Fernando Tatis Jr in mid to late April.
While the Padres lineup and rotation are loaded with talent, it didn’t slow the team down general manager A.J. Preller from retooling and adding more stars to the roster. Despite failing to land Carlos Correa to a long-term deal due to injury concerns, Preller and the rest of the Padres front office has been busy adding All-Star shortstop Xander Bogaerts, designated hitter/outfielder Matt Carpenter, designated hitter Nelson Cruz, and starting pitcher Michael Wacha. In addition, the team secured long-term deals for current players Manny Machado, Yu Darvish, Nick Martinez, and Robert Suarez. Here is a quick look at all the off-season acquisitions and off-season departures.
Off-Season Acquisitions: Xander Bogaerts (SS), Matt Carpenter (DH/OF), Nelson Cruz (DH), Michael Wacha (SP), Rougned Odor (2B), Seth Lugo (RP), Adam Engel (OF), and Brett Honeywell Jr (RP).
Off-Season Departures: Josh Bell (1B), Mike Clevinger (SP), Jurickson Profar (LF), Will Myers (OF), Brandon Drury (2B), Sean Manaea (SP), and Pierce Johnson (RP).
San Diego Padres Off-Season Acquisition Outlook
The big acquisition this offseason was the signing of former Boston Red Sox shortstop Bogaerts who delivers another All-Star caliber player to the lineup who is a terrific defender at shortstop as well as a player who can hit for power and average. The move allows the Padres to get creative with their current roster upon the return of Tatis Jr., a move that will free up Tatis Jr moving to right field while delivering another All-Star bat in the lineup. Bogaerts is coming off a strong .307 batting average while posting a .377 on-base percentage. The addition of Bogaerts delivers a potential strong extra base bat to bat high in the lineup while delivering a player who can reach base for the middle of the lineup, including Machado and Soto, to drive in.
Joining Bogaerts in the lineup will be proven designated hitter Nelson Cruz and outfielder/designated hitter Matt Carpenter. While both are proven All-Stars, who can hit for power and produce runs, the moves to add both add veteran leadership to a very talented roster while also some impact bats who can produce under pressure. Carpenter, one of the hottest players in the Majors after joining the New York Yankees, hit 15 home runs in 47 games before an injury shut him down for the remainder of the season. Cruz and Carpenter provide the Padres versatility at the designated hitter spot as Carpenter is a left-handed bat, and Cruz is a right-handed bat. In addition, Carpenter can make spot starts in the outfield when needed. Other offseason acquisitions, Rougned Odor and Adam Angel, provide veteran rotation players who can deliver when called upon.
On the mound, the Padres added veteran starter Michael Wacha to join a rotation featuring Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove, Nick Martinez, and Blake Snell. Wacha, who is 31, provides the team with a high-caliber starting pitcher who will not be asked to be the team’s ace while rounding out the back end of the rotation. In addition, the move to add Wacha provides the Padres a security blanket while Musgrove returns from a foot injury he suffered during workouts in spring training. As Wacha offers a strong arm in the rotation, Seth Lugo and Brett Honeywell provide strong arms in the bullpen.
All in all, the talented Padres roster added talent across the diamond and on the mound while they sought the NL West Crown in 2023. Preller remains active while building a championship-caliber roster in San Diego. The offseason acquisitions and the return of Tatis Jr to a lineup featuring Machado and Soto have the potential for the Padres to make a deep run into the MLB postseason.
