Padres CEO Urges Fans to Look at Bright Side of Quiet Offseason

Fans aren't going to like these comments.

The San Diego Padres have been relatively quiet this offseason compared their recent past. They have let multiple talented players leave the organization via free agency. Star outfielder Juan Soto became a New York Yankee in a blockbuster trade. 

This all comes against a backdrop of dramatic cost-cutting. San Diego's payroll — $291 million for competitive balance tax purposes, third-highest in MLB — could be trimmed by one-third or more. After several years of going all-in, this offseason represents a step back.

While other teams around the league, particularly in the NL West, have added impact players via trades and free agency, the Padres have not. They did sign Japanese closer Yuki Matsui to a five-year contract last week. That has been their only major league free agent signing this winter.

The lack of spending has caused some frustration among the fan base, especially following a 2023 season that fell short of expectations. To make matters worse, Padres CEO Erik Greupner had some interesting comments regarding the way the team has navigated its offseason so far. 

“I understand fans might focus on the departure of Soto and free agents we might not sign this year, but we feel like we have a great core group of players,” he said. “If a fan fell asleep three years ago and woke up to see the caliber of players we had under long-term contracts, they would be pretty surprised."

Per Erik Greupner via The San Diego Union-Tribune

Padres fans aren't going to be very happy when reading these comments, especially with ticket prices rising. Over the last few years, the team has put its chips in to try to compete with the bigger market teams, and it feels like they may be resorting back to old ways.

While the team does have a solid core in place, fans who geared their sights on a  championship understandably feel let down. They aren't unlikely to be satisfied merely being a competitive team. Competing within a division that includes the reigning National League pennant winners and the free-spending Dodgers just got a lot harder.

“Even if it might seem lower than some fans expect (at times moving ahead), it still is significantly higher than it historically has been."

Per Erik Greupner via The San Diego Union-Tribune

If the Padres experience yet another year without a playoff appearance, fans will certainly stop coming to the ballpark. Last season might have been an anomaly, but the franchise can't expect fans to continue spending money while the team cuts back. 

Attendance for home games at Petco Park ranked 18th in MLB in 2018 and third in 2023. The pressure to win is on in 2024. If the Padres' fortunes reverse, attendance will likely do the same.