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I hit send as I board my flight home from Arizona and attend this week’s general manager meetings. Here are 10 takeaways from the week in Scottsdale:
1. Close to being hired
The Padres’ obligations at general managers’ meetings took precedence this week. The event marks the start of Hot Stove season. This is where front offices lay the groundwork for future trades and free agent signings. For at least a few days, the search for leaders could wait.
“GM meetings are more about player personnel issues,” Padres general manager AJ Preller said. “We will choose (the manager search) here also in the next few days. In the same place. When we feel that we have the right person lined up, then we will go ahead and act. But we “I’m still in the process of follow the process.
Nonetheless, it appears the Padres are close to a resolution. Internally, senior advisor Mike Shildt and bench coach/offensive coordinator Ryan Flaherty were interviewed. So is Angels manager Benji Gil, who led the Mexican team to a surprise trip to the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic.
It’s always possible that one or two surprise candidates will emerge. (Perhaps the sudden arrival of David Ross entry into the pool of available managers changes things.) But it appears the process is drawing to a close.
“We will make a decision here at some point,” Preller said. “I can’t say it will be in the next 24 hours. But I would say over the weekend and early next week we should be able to line up.”
2. Internal research?
Each of Preller’s first three full-time executive hires came from outside the organization. In the cases of Bob Melvin And Andy Green, Preller had never worked with either. These relationships did not work out.
It may not be a coincidence that two of the three frontrunners for the job are internal candidates: Shildt and Flaherty.
“We’re definitely thinking about it,” Preller said. “…People who know our players, know our situation, know our organization – that’s an advantage, for sure. But we enjoyed last week, sitting there, talking with outside candidates who also bring a different perspective .So this is not a prerequisite.
3. Clarity on Wacha, Martinez
When Preller spoke to the media Wednesday, it was the first time he had done so since the team declined to match two-year, $32 million options on pitchers Michael Wacha and Nick Martinez. When they declined the following player options, they became free agents.
“To make it the first step of the offseason, I think we just weren’t comfortable at those price points,” Preller said. “…We’re very open to having those guys come back. But I also think the challenge for us will be finding more.”
4. Rotation status
Wacha and Martinez aren’t the only two starters ready to go. Seth Lugo declined his player option and Blake Snell is should decrease her qualifying offermaking all four free agents.
The pitch market this offseason should be extremely competitive and the Padres need to add at least three starters to the mix.
“It’s going to be a challenge,” Preller said. “It’s a question of supply and demand, and there are a lot of teams looking for pitchers, that’s for sure.”
Essentially, the Padres need to find the 2024 version of Wacha and Lugo — low-cost options who worked their way to more lucrative deals this winter.
5. Health Update
Some positive rotation news: Preller noted that Yu Darvish is expected to avoid arthroscopic elbow surgery and that he and Joe Musgrove are expected to be fully available for the start of the 2024 season. Both finished the 2023 season on the roster. injured, Darvish with a stress reaction in his right elbow and Musgrove with inflammation of the right shoulder capsule.
6. Niebla returns
Preller was understandably hesitant to make declarative statements about his coaching staff before hiring a manager. But he confirmed Wednesday that Ruben Niebla, under contract through the 2024 season, would return as pitching coach.
7. Musical chairs on the pitch?
When the Padres signed Xander Bogaerts last winter, they made it clear that he would be their shortstop in 2023. Notably, they offered no assurances beyond that.
A year later, Ha-Seong Kim remains one of the best defensive shortstops in the sport. He was also great at second, but that pushed Jake Cronenworth to first, limiting his value.
“We’re fortunate to have multiple shortstops in the infield and guys who can move around and play different spots,” Preller said. “But Alex played very well. Honestly, this is a conversation that will start with the manager when we make this hire, to get their opinion on the best setup for us.
8. Bullpen moves are coming
Same with Josh Hader on the market, Preller said the Padres don’t necessarily need to add a closer. But they need relievers. Plural.
“We focus more on guys who have quality weapons, quality equipment and quality leadership,” Preller said. “Guys who have real makeup and who could play in big spots. Yes, we will probably have to add something here in the next few weeks.
If the Padres don’t sign a tighter lock like Hader, Preller mentioned Robert Suarez — Hader’s setup man the past two seasons — as a candidate for that role.
9. Grisham’s Status
Deadline set for teams to bid on contracts eligible for arbitration players is November 17. Trent Grisham is one of the most intriguing players heading into this deadline. He is expected to receive a raise on his $3 million contract from last season.
Grisham is a two-time Gold Glove Award-winning center fielder, but over the last two seasons he has combined for a .191/.300/.347. oblique line. Would the Padres consider trading him? Do they without call for tender him? Maybe. But on Wednesday, Preller gave his support to his central defender.
“The consistency factor over the last couple of years just hasn’t been there,” Preller said. “We have to figure out: How can we get this consistently from Grish? Because he’s impactful in the middle, if we’re able to see the offense…with the elite defense.
10. Soto Palooza
THE Juan Soto trades rumors aren’t going to subside until he signs a long-term extension to stay in San Diego or is traded.
And who knows? Maybe we will reach 2024 Transaction Deadline and neither happened. But until then, this story will make headlines. It was probably obvious before this week. But given the large number of reporters from different cities eager to ask Preller about Soto’s status, prepare for a winter of rumors about Soto.
