What Should the Padres Offseason Look Like?

Plenty of directions this could go.

After a disappointing 2023 campaign, the Padres are staring at an important winter for the future of their franchise in just a few weeks. 

Expectations for the team had never been higher after beating the Dodgers en route to an NLCS berth last October. But this year's Padres have looked like their 2021 iteration of star-studded talent without any postseason results. 

Headed into the offseason, the Friars' decision on Bob Melvin will certainly be on the agenda for the direction of their roster in 2024. 

Melvin, who has one year left on his deal, has already expressed a desire to stay with the team, but such a decision may be dictated by his lackluster results with a better team in 2023.

Related: MLB Insider Argues to "Not Blame Bob Melvin" for Padres Struggles 

Alongside Melvin, many of his staff may be in danger of losing their own places on the team as GM A.J. Preller has never been shy to clean house nor make the aggressive move to buy for his roster. 

On the topic of Preller, despite his warm relationship with Padres' ownership, a failed postseason appearance in 2023 may spell his own exit from the franchise after only two playoff seasons since 2015. 

Free agency needs will certainly be addressed no matter who the GM is at the top of the front office, with both Blake Snell and Josh Hader set to expire in the winter. 

Coming over in separate trades in recent years, both pitchers have been excellent for the team and were key factors in their success to 2022. 

Another piece from the 2022 deadline will surely be on the mind of many Friars fans as Juan Soto's impending extension eligibility offer more questions about the future of the roster. 

Though they already have a high payroll for their roster, the organization has never been shy to continue pushing their financial limits, a strategy that aligns perfectly with Shohei Ohtani's awaiting free agency.

The season could ultimately be chalked up to bad luck, but it wouldn't be shocking to see Padres owner Peter Seidler make some seismic moves this winter.