The San Diego Padres made major waves in the baseball world with their blockbuster trade sending Juan Soto to the New York Yankees. The move has left many questioning what their next steps will be for the upcoming season. In a recent interview with Padres general manager A.J. Preller, he expressed hope that the deal would be equally beneficial for both teams and hinted at a possible postseason. However, with the departure of key players and pitching staff, the Padres still have significant work to do heading into the 2024 season.
One major area of concern for the Padres is their pitching staff. The departure of several key pitchers, including Blake Snell and Michael Wacha, has left a void that needs to be filled. Preller acknowledged the need for additional starting and relief pitching to bolster the team’s roster.
Another potential move for the Padres would be to acquire a frontline starter through a trade. The team’s farm system has seen significant improvements, and after the Soto deal, they have the resources to make a move similar to their 2020-21 offseason acquisitions of Snell, Yu Darvish, and Joe Musgrove. A top-tier pitcher could provide much-needed reinforcement for the team’s rotation.
The Padres also face a glaring need in the outfield after parting ways with two-time Gold Glove Award winner Trent Grisham. As a result, the team is exploring options to address this need, including potentially pursuing Korean outfielder Jung Hoo Lee. Additionally, promising prospect Jakob Marsee will receive a look in center field during Spring Training. However, the team’s current outfield projection for Opening Day remains uncertain.
One of the most significant questions revolves around the position of star player Fernando Tatis Jr. Tatis has excelled in right field, winning the Platinum Glove Award last season, but the departure of Grisham has raised questions about potential changes to Tatis’s position on the field.
Finally, the Padres are also considering a trade involving Jake Cronenworth, who is signed to a seven-year, $80 million contract. While Cronenworth is a valuable player, the team’s surplus of infielders and the need to reallocate funds towards pitching may make him a prime trade candidate.
Thus, the Soto trade has left the Padres with numerous gaps to fill and tough decisions to make as they continue to shape their roster for the 2024 season.