Padres Rumors: Insider Calls it ‘Unlikely’ Friars Re-Sign Blake Snell, Josh Hader, Extend Juan Soto This Offseason
After a tough season, it seems that changes could be coming for the San Diego Padres this offseason. While the team won’t be changing managers, they could be losing some key players to free agency.
San Diego isn’t expected to retain closer Josh Hader or starting pitcher Blake Snell, so they will be in need of pitching help. President of Baseball Operations A.J. Preller didn’t rule anything out, but the team is widely expected to let them walk this winter.
“Preller on Wednesday uttered the usual platitudes regarding the idea that the team will consult with pending free agent pitchers Blake Snell and Josh Hader. But it is considered highly unlikely the team brings back the market’s top available starting pitcher and reliever.”
San Diego has a ton of money tied up with other players, and they likely don’t want to commit to both of these guys. They need to be shedding salary, not taking on more long-term cap room.
The team also could move on from outfielder Juan Soto this offseason as well. He will be a free agent at the end of next season, and San Diego has never fully been open to retaining him long-term for the extraordinarily high amount of money that he will get on the open market.
“The other possibility is signing him to a long-term contract, though the sides coming to terms on a deal that is expected to top $500 million is considered unlikely, especially a year early.”
The team isn’t opposed to keeping Soto, but if they know that they likely won’t re-sign him, it makes sense to move him now. The trade return will never be higher for them than right now, so the team will have some tough decisions to make.
These three players were key pieces to this Padres team in 2023, but they all could be leaving San Diego this winter. If they do, the Padres will be forced to try and fill the gaps left by them all.
