2024 record: 93-69

Manager: Mike Shildt

General Manager: A.J. Preller

Offseason

San Diego made key acquisitions over the offseason, addressing depth issues in both the rotation and bullpen. The return of a fully healthy Fernando Tatís Jr. alongside Xander Bogaerts, Manny Machado, and Jake Cronenworth gives the Padres one of the most dangerous infields in baseball.

The Padres signed aged veterans like Joes Iglesias, Jayson Hayward, and Connor Joe. On the pitching side, they signed lefty relief pitcher out of the Korean Baseball League Kyle Hart. Along with that San Deigo signed Nick Pivetta from the Boston Red Sox to help with the depth in their rotation.

Dylan Cease

Cease is expected to start the season with the Padres but there have rumors about a trade brewing for him, San Deigo should get a solid haul for him if they do decide to trade him. If they decide to deal their ace, they will need to add more depth to the rotation.

Projected Lineup

Luis Arraaez (1B)

Fernando Tatis Jr. (RF)

Jackson Merrill (CF)

Manny Machado (3B)

Jake Cronenworth (2B)

Xander Bogaerts (SS)

Jose Iglesias (DH)

Jayson Heyward (LF)

Elias Diaz (C)

Rotation and Bullpen

Dylan Cease

Micheal King

Yu Darvish

Nick Pivetta

Stephen Kolek

With Joe Musgraves return date up in the air the Padres will turn to new acquisitions Nick Pivetta and Stephen Kolek who they added via the Rule 5 draft last season. If San Deigo does give up Cease both guys will have to step into even bigger roles.

The Bullpen is led by Robert Suarez who had a 2.77 ERA last season with a 1.09 WHIF rate.

Farm System

Young star Jackson Merril has emerged into one of the best young players in the league after a stellar rookie season, the 21-year-old is expected to make an even bigger jump in 2025. Catcher Ethan Salas the Padres number 1 prospect is expecting to make the jump to the majors in 2025, Salas’s expectations are through the roof and he plays two thirds of what’s expected of him he will be a great addtion to this Padres lineup.

Season Outlook

The NL West remains one of the toughest divisions in baseball, with the Dodgers and Diamondbacks making aggressive moves to improve. The Padres will need consistency from their pitching staff and continued offensive production from their core hitters to stay in the race. A return to the postseason is possible, but it will require everything to come together for new manager Mike Shildt and his squad.