What is the story about?
The day started with news about the bulk of the lawsuit between Sheel Seidler and Matt and Bob Seidler being settled and it ended with reports the San Diego Padres signed free agent outfielder Miguel Andujar to a one-year, $4 million contract. He is expected to be the right-handed bat with pop the Padres were looking to add this offseason. San Diego president of baseball operations and general manager A.J. Preller recently stated he wanted to add a bat or two and wanted to make additions to the rotation.
Could Preller bring in a free agent pitcher or two prior to the start of Spring Training? It would generate some excitement as the Padres open camp Feb. 12.
Padres News:
- Following the reported addition of Andujar, Lincoln Zdunich of Gaslamp Ball set his sights on projecting ideal lineups for the Padres and their rotation.
- Fernando Tatis Jr. is a two-time Platinum Glove award-winning right fielder, and he is entering the 2026 season with an idea of winning an MVP award. Tatis Jr. has not shown the offensive production he displayed prior to his PED suspension, but he thinks some mechanical adjustments to his swing could unlock an extended run of success.
- AJ Cassavell of Padres.com believes there are three players from the Padres Spring Training non-roster invitees who have potential to impact the major league roster and he identifies pitcher Triston McKenzie as the top candidate. Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune lists catcher Ethan Salas as the headliner of the non-roster invitees.
- Sanders focused on the San Diego outfielders for his latest spring training primer. There are high expectations when the starters are Tatis Jr., Jackson Merrill and Ramon Laureano. He also put the spotlight on Merrill as the subject of his ongoing Padres roster review.
Baseball News:
- The top free agent pitcher on the market, Framber Valdez, agreed to a three-year, $115 million deal with the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday. The top remaining free agent pitchers after the Valdez deal are Zac Gallen, Chris Bassitt and Lucas Giolito.
- The Boston Red Sox added to their infield agreeing to a one-year deal with Isiah Kiner-Falefa.
- Former Padres outfielder David Peralta announced his retirement, Wednesday.
