Now that all but two teams are done playing, baseball and the writers who cover the game are turning their attention to the brief span of time that will be the open market for players. With the potential lockout looming on Dec. 2, executives, players and agents must devise a strategy for handling this unique month ahead of them.
The last lockout, during the 2021 offseason, lasted 99 days. Spring Training was shortened and regular season double-headers had to be played to get all the games in. There
was no salary floor or salary cap proposed last time. The game was still recovering from the COVID pandemic and that contentious subject was avoided.
This time, with a resurgent sport and enthusiastic fan base, it seems both sides are willing to risk alienating those fans in order to bring massive change or keep the status quo in the financial structure of baseball.
A trade could make the most sense
A recent article by Andy McCullough in The Athleticfloated the idea that executives and agents alike might make a fast start to this abbreviated free agent period. There is a sentiment that signing before potential rule changes could benefit both sides. The unpredictable time span before a new season begins could spur unprecedented activity.
Signing first baseman Ty France to a deal should be the priority for the San Diego Padres. But at the same time, they need to consider a trade. One that would give them a little financial wiggle room but would also address a need.
Tim Britton, also of The Athletic, surveyed the free agent class of players available during this volatile time. While the pitching market looks ripe with talent, the position player class is rated as the second worst in a decade. The best hitters on the list, Randy Arozarena, Seiya Suzuki and Brandon Lowe, are all 32 years old.
The Padres’ primary need is starting pitching. Most of their positions are occupied once they re-sign France. Should they also re-sign Ramón Laureano, the bench would be their primary positional need.
Deal from a strength
They also have three catchers on the major league depth chart. That is most likely one too many. They have an outfielder who owns two Platinum Gloves and prefers to play in the infield.
For multiple seasons, Jake Cronenworth has been the subject of trade rumors but he has remained a Padre every time. He plays the position that Fernando Tatis Jr. would probably choose to play. They also have a defense-first infielder in Sung-Mun Song who needs to play more so that he can get better against major league pitching.
Packaging either Freddie Fermin or Luis Campusano with Jake Cronenworth in exchange for a starter or bench depth/outfielder could go a long way toward setting the Padres up for what will need to be an active free agent period.
A busy trip to Las Vegas
The General Manager’s meetings begin in Las Vegas on Nov. 9. They are traditionally the start of the trade season, with the free agent market usually getting hot during the Winter Meetings. With the pending labor dispute, the Winter Meetings will likely be cancelled and everything will be swinging in Las Vegas.
President of baseball operations/general manager A.J. Preller will have a structure by then that will dictate the financials and goals of the organization. He should know how much he can spend and which players are considered available. He will have a shopping list for what is needed.
If the Padres can make a fast break during November, getting a skeleton of a starting staff and their team MVP of 2026 back in the fold, the extended work stoppage that might come will not bring as much worry to the fan base.
Knowing that the 2027 season, whenever it begins, has most of a team already in place should decrease the anxiety that the shortened offseason would normally bring.
There is also a chance everyone plays it safe and almost nothing happens during the short signing season. But the chance of that seems like a big gamble for the teams that consider themselves playoff contenders. Pushing through a lot of business in a short time will make for hasty decisions and probably inflate player values.
The November flurry of activity could be a small one or a blizzard. If it’s a blizzard, the Padres and Preller have to be taking part.
Padres News:
- In his ongoing grading of players on the Padres’ roster, Lincoln Zdunich of Gaslamp Ball takes a look at veteran shortstop, Xander Bogaerts.
- Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune says the World Series between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Milwaukee Brewers shows the Padres and the rest of baseball what is possible.
Baseball News:
- Here is all the information for Game 1 of the World Series, which starts tonight along with three questions to think about as the championship series gets underway.
- Former San Diego pitcher Nick Martinez will start Game 1 for Tampa Bay against Milwaukee and ace Jacob Misiorowski.
- Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt says he will return in 2027.
