The entire MLB was turned upside down on the night of Jan. 16 when Kyle Tucker signed a four-year, $240 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The move left fans, players, and executives with a variety of emotions.
With the addition of Tucker, L.A. will have Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Will Smith as their likely first five in the lineup.
Most baseball fans are upset about how the Dodgers recklessly exceed the luxury tax threshold, but that is not the case for everyone. In fact, the Padres’ new manager expressed his excitement about facing such a challenge.
Padres’ Craig Stammen’s confident Dodgers reminder sparks an emotional fan boost
Stammen made an appearance on the Foul Territory Show. He left a mark on what he thinks about having to compete against a team as stacked as the Dodgers. Stammen said the following, which leaves Padres fans excited for the 2026 season.
“There’s nothing better in the big leagues than playing against the best.”
The Padres will definitely be contending for a playoff spot in 2026, even after the roster overhaul. With a core of Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts, Jackson Merrill, and a star-studded bullpen, anything is possible.
Granted, the team did lose Ryan O’Hearn, Robert Suarez, and Dylan Cease in free agency, with the chance for Luis Arráez to join that group.
If the Padres find a way to address starting pitching, first base, and maybe add a second catcher, it could be a race for the NL West pennant. We do say this every year, but if the Padres can build off the success they had in 2025, it is definitely possible.
The Padres/Dodgers rivalry was as fiery as ever in 2025, with two managers who hated each other. However, with Mike Shildt out of the picture, it will be up to Craig Stammen to re-ignite that flare. This will make for an interesting 2026 season.