Padres Rumors: ‘Virtually Certain’ That Blake Snell and Josh Hader, Among Others, Will Leave Via Free Agency

Their disastrous season might get even worse over the offseason.

The Padres have some decisions to make over the offseason regarding who to keep next year, and who to try and re-sign. 

There are a couple of guys who could command bigger contacts on the open market like Blake Snell and Josh Hader, and if the Padres get into a bidding war, I don't think it would be wise for them to come out on top.

Juan Soto still needs to get paid, and if the Padres are trying to keep him around, it would be wise to keep the payroll a little lower, just to give them the best chance to offer Soto the biggest contract on the market.

Here's how the Friars could save some money, per Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune:

From Kevin Acee:

It is virtually certain that Blake Snell, who made $16.6 million in 2023, and Josh Hader, who made $14.1 million, are going to leave in free agency.

Garrett Cooper, Rich Hill and Ji-Man Choi, all acquired at the trade deadline and accounting for $5.5 million of the payroll, will also almost certainly depart. Gary Sánchez, who the Padres paid $1.4 million, has played his way into a more lucrative deal. Luis García ($3.5 million) is likely going to be allowed to test the free-agent market. Drew Pomeranz’s $10 million is coming off the books as well.

via

San Diego Union Tribune

That's more than $50 million in savings right there that they could ultimately put toward a Soto extension. Or they could reinvest that $50 million to try and get a young free-agent pitcher like Jack Flaherty or Lucas Giolito.

Or, even better, they could try and rebuild the rotation through their minor league system. Guys like No. 16 prospect Ryan Bergert could get a shot or two top 10 prospects in Dylan Lesko and Robby Snelling could get a cup of coffee on the big stage.

Whatever the Padres do, it will be an extremely eventful offseason, just like it was last year. But don't expect them to retain Josh Hader or Blake Snell as they shed payroll and try to build a winning team.