The San Diego Padres have had a relatively quiet offseason, especially when it comes to addressing the needs on their roster. However, the Padres did make some news Thursday when they hired former club
members Bud Black and Wil Myers. Thomas Conroy of Gaslamp Ball sees the hiring of Black as a positive for San Diego and its new manager Craig Stammen. The former reliever who got the job this offseason after former manager Mike Shildt retired, has never managed and will need to lean on coaches and front office personnel who have been in his position, which makes the hiring of Black a solid move by the Padres.
Padres News:
- The Padres signed eight international prospects on Thursday and Cheri Bell of Gaslamp Ball provides information on each one. The international signing period is open until Dec. 15, and San Diego has money left to spend, so there could be additional signings as the year progresses.
- AJ Cassavell of Padres.com provided some answers to various questions he has received from fans on Redditt. Some of the questions asked of Cassavell were about A.J. Preller and a potential extension, what players he sees the team adding via free agency and what his thoughts are on the Los Angeles Dodgers adding Kyle Tucker to their lineup. You can read all the Q&A here.
- JP Sears is a pitcher who may find himself pitching a lot of innings for the Padres this season. He is also the focus of the ongoing Padres roster review by Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Baseball News:
- A day after Kyle Tucker signed with the Dodgers over the New York Mets and others, the Mets signed free agent infielder Bo Bichette on a three-year, $126 million deal. He joins a crowded infield and will play third base in New York, a position he has not played in MLB.
- The Philadelphia Phillies, who were rumored as the frontrunners to sign Bichette and offered a seven-year deal for up to $200 million, re-signed catcher J.T. Realmuto on a three-year, $45 million deal.
- Tucker and Bichette have signed so the top remaining free agent position player is Cody Bellinger. Many of the teams who missed out on Tucker and Bichette will look to sign Bellinger to address their roster needs and his decision could come soon.
- The Minnesota Twins signed free agent catcher, and former Padre, Victor Caratini to a two-year deal, Friday.
- Framber Valdez is the top free agent pitcher on the market, but Justin Verlander is reportedly drawing interest from teams, including the Baltimore Orioles, who were considered to be one of the suitors for Valdez.
- Star shortstop Elly De La Cruz declined an extension from the Cincinnati Reds last spring. The offer would have reportedly topped the 10-year, $225 million deal the team had with former first baseman Joey Votto.
- The Los Angeles Angels who acquired Josh Lowe in a three-team trade Thursday, have said they are open to playing him in center field. In the same trade the Tampa Bay Rays acquired infielder Gavin Lux and the team announced Friday the plan is for Lux to be the team’s second baseman.
