Padres Rumors: Insider Pegs Friars as One of MLB’s Biggest Disappointments

Not up to preseason expectations.

Thought to be one of the contenders for the World Series when assembling their roster in the winter, it's been a season to forget in San Diego. 

Struggling all year to keep pace with both their divisional and wild-card competitors, the Padres have been dubbed as failures for the 2023 season by one analyst who might not be alone in thinking so. 

When all was said and done, their Opening Day payroll was just a shade under $250 million—roughly $37 million more than 2022, which was roughly $37 million more than 2021 which was $65 million more than any previous season. Throw in the foregone conclusion that the Dodgers will reload this offseason—perhaps even by signing Snell and Hader—and it feels like the Padres royally botched their golden window of opportunity.

via Kerry Miller, Bleacher Report

Buying to bolster the roster has never been off the table for Padres GM A.J. Preller this season felt richer than any before it as evidenced by the financial commitment made to the team. 

One of the most expensive teams in the league last year, fans at Petco were excited to see a new shortstop in Xander Bogaerts joining the already talented core for the Friars. 

Stars litter the roster with Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., Juan Soto, Yu Darvish and the aforementioned Snell and Hader who have been the two most reliable arms for the Padres all year. 

Inconsistency finishing games and poor clubhouse morale have paired with veteran trade additions at the trade deadline to create a likely fourth place finish in the NL West and a far cry from their previous position as Wild Card winners just last season. 

Headed into a big offseason, many wonder who will stay in the organization not just from free agency but perhaps on the bench or even the front office.