It always seems to be something with the Padres.<\/p>\n
And right now, it\u2019s a lot.<\/p>\n
The team opens spring training with a relatively set roster and arguably more uncertainty than ever and with the potential for drama to permeate yet another season \u2014 a looming ownership change, a new manager and the potential that the architect of the roster is a lame duck.<\/p>\n
The Padres have largely the same roster as the one that made the postseason in 2024 and \u201825, which were just the second successive playoff appearances in Padres history. It doesn\u2019t seem far-fetched to consider them contenders to participate in a third straight October.<\/p>\n
Yet there is so much to figure out between now and then. Between now and the start of the season.<\/p>\n
These storylines (and more) will be covered (more than once) over the course of the next six weeks (and perhaps longer). We present a brief synopsis now in approximate order of when we could\/should see a resolution:<\/p>\n
A.J. Preller\u2019s contract status:\u00a0An agreement on an extension for the president of baseball operations, whose contract runs out after the season, has been more difficult to achieve than anyone imagined. That does not mean the back-and-forth is contentious, as Preller has explained<\/a>, and multiple people have said it could be a matter of days before a deal gets done. It also could drag on, as Preller is clearly aware of his value and the Padres could have a new person writing checks soon.<\/p>\n Fifth starter:\u00a0This doesn\u2019t necessarily mean a No.5 starter. There are a number of quality veteran starting pitchers available in free agency, and the Padres have been in some level of discussion with almost all of them. Whether they sign one, which they think they can, will depend on the price. The team has thrived in the late-offseason market for starting pitchers. They traded for Sean Manaea in 2022<\/a>, signed Michael Wacha (\u201823)<\/a>, traded for Dylan Cease (\u201824)<\/a> and signed Nick Pivetta (\u201825)<\/a>. None of those acquisitions came before Feb. 16.<\/p>\n Another bat: The Padres agreed to a one-year deal with Miguel Andujar<\/a> a few days ago, but they seek another player to fill out what could be a first base-designated hitter rotation. Similar to how they have added starting pitching, the Padres have been able to supplement their position players late in recent years. Jurickson Profar arrived in Peoria<\/a>, Ariz., well into February in 2024 and went on to become an All-Star, and no one had any idea Gavin Sheets would turn into an actual contributor while in camp on a minor-league deal he signed in early February last year<\/a>.<\/p>\n New owner: It has been apparent for a couple of weeks that action was picking up in the sale process. Three potential buyers have been identified \u2014 Joe Lacob, owner of the NBA\u2019s Golden State Warriors; Dan Friedkin, owner of European soccer clubs Roma and Everton; and Jose Feliciano, owner of the Premier League club Chelsea<\/a>. However, sources familiar with the situation say more suitors have been involved and could make bids. People around the league have offered what can best be termed educated speculation that the Padres could have a new owner by sometime around opening day.<\/p>\n New manager: Most Padres players already are familiar with Craig Stammen as a former teammate and someone who was around the team as an advisor following his retirement<\/a>. How he handles the club as a first-time manager will begin to unfold over the course of spring training but not really become known at all until the season begins.<\/p>\n Those are the main sources of uncertainty for the club, though the ongoing aging process of Xander Bogaerts and Manny Machado, the continued progression of Jackson Merrill and Fernando Tatis Jr., and how Michael King and Joe Musgrove bounce back from injury are among issues that qualify as well.<\/p>\n The fact is there is a fair amount of uncertainty surrounding every team at the start of every spring. And there is always some uncertainty baked into drama. That is what makes drama such a precarious state.<\/p>\n The Padres have had some sort of drama play out almost every year this decade.<\/p>\n A promising 2021 season imploded in a heap of pitching injuries and what was essentially a clubhouse implosion and player revolt<\/a> against manager Jayce Tingler and members of his staff. A rift between manager Bob Melvin and Preller<\/a> began in 2022 and intensified through 2023, which is also when a leadership void manifested in the clubhouse<\/a>. Following the November 2023 death of team chairman Peter Seidler<\/a>, the 2024 season was relatively drama free. But six days into 2025, Peter Seidler\u2019s widow contested control of the team in a lawsuit<\/a> brought against her brothers-in-law, and manager Mike Shildt retired 11 days after the season ended<\/a>, citing exhaustion, while many on his staff and in the front office had been exhausted by him<\/a>.<\/p>\n Yet the Padres have largely thrived throughout.<\/p>\n Beginning with their posting MLB\u2019s third-best record in the chaotic COVID season of 2020, their four playoff appearances in the past six seasons are matched (or surpassed) by just eight other teams.<\/p>\n Yes, there were two monumentally disappointing campaigns in that span, both unspooled by drama. But the Padres have mostly been good enough to overcome whatever is transpiring in their peripheral vision and generally been better than expected.<\/p>\n