Jessica: That was Garrett Mitchell, robbing Manny Machado of a potential game-tying home run in the eighth inning. The Brewers advance to the NLCS, and San Diego is left staring at a roster full of questions.
Mark: It’s a brutal end to a 91-win season. You look at the injury report—Brandon Woodruff on the 60-day IL, Lucas Giolito also down, Miguel Andujar on the 10-day list—and it feels like the ceiling just got ripped off.
Jessica: Welcome back to the Beatline Podcast Network, America’s number one daily sports podcast. I’m Jessica, joined by Mark. We are looking at the San Diego Padres as they head into the offseason.
Mark: Hey everyone. Yeah, we’ve been tracking this all week. After that elimination by Milwaukee, the focus shifts entirely to what’s next. Who stays? Who goes? And who fills those massive holes in the rotation?
Jessica: Today is our Roster Battles episode. We’re breaking down three key areas: the starting pitching logjam, the infield depth chart, and the outfield competition. Stick with us.
Jessica: Let’s start with the biggest battle. The rotation. Last time, we talked about how the bullpen couldn’t enter because the starters weren’t getting outs. Now, looking at the current roster, where does Walker Buehler stand?
Mark: Buehler is interesting. He’s a starter on paper, but after the injury history, he’s become more of a swingman option. Compare him to Joe Musgrove or Robbie Ray. If you want a true ace for Game 1 of the playoffs, Buehler might be too risky right now.
Jessica: So, if Buehler is shaky, do you lean on Michael King? Or is Casey Mize the guy you trust in October?
Mark: I’d rather see Michael King get the call. He has that high-velocity stuff that works against lineups when you need a strikeout. Casey Mize is solid, but King feels like the higher-upside arm for a short series.
Jessica: But here’s the problem—the list of injured arms is long. Brandon Woodruff, Lucas Giolito, Quinn Priester, Angel Zerpa, Brian Fitzpatrick—all on the 60-day IL. That’s five guys gone before the season even started properly.
Mark: Exactly. And Grant Anderson is on the 15-day IL too. So your actual available starters are limited to Musgrove, Ray, Buehler, King, Mize, JP Sears, Randy Vasquez, and Nick Pivetta. That’s eight guys. For a playoff run, you need stability.
Jessica: And let’s not forget Adrian Morejon is day-to-day. He’s listed as a reliever, but he’s had starts. Where does he fit if he’s healthy?
Mark: Morejon is a swingman. If he’s healthy, he gives you flexibility. But relying on a day-to-day player for your fifth starter spot is dangerous. This is why we predicted last week that they target free-agent pitching. It’s not a want; it’s a necessity.
Jessica: Right. Because the internal options are thin. If Jackson Merrill or Fernando Tatis Jr. can’t carry the load alone, you need another arm. Let’s move to the infield. Jake Cronenworth at second base vs. Mason McCoy or Sung-Mun Song.
Mark: Cronenworth is the clear winner there. His plate discipline and OBP make him invaluable. McCoy and Song are depth pieces. They might see time if Cronenworth needs rest, but he’s the starter.
Jessica: What about first base? Ty France vs. Gavin Sheets. France has been inconsistent defensively, but Sheets is a rookie who’s shown flashes.
Mark: Sheets is trending up. His power numbers are intriguing, but France’s experience matters. However, with Miguel Andujar on the 10-day IL, the DH spot is open. Maybe Sheets takes some at-bats there while France plays first.
Jessica: And then there’s third base. Manny Machado is the anchor, obviously. But Gage Workman is on the roster too. Is Workman really a threat for playing time?
Mark: No. Workman is insurance. Machado is an All-Star. Unless he gets hurt, Workman isn’t touching the field. This is about protecting the core players while finding depth elsewhere.
Jessica: So, the message is clear: stabilize the rotation, keep Cronenworth, and figure out the DH role. Let’s talk about the outfield. It’s crowded. Dustin Harris, Samad Taylor, Jase Bowen, Austin Hays, and Fernando Tatis Jr.
Mark: Tatis is locked in at right field. Jackson Merrill is center. That leaves left field and a corner spot. Harris and Taylor are battling for that lefty-friendly slot.
Jessica: Taylor has that speed. Harris has the power. Which one do you keep for the postseason?
Mark: Harris. In October, you need contact hitters who can hit the wall. Taylor’s speed is great, but if you’re down by two runs, you need Harris to tie it. Plus, Ramon Laureano is on the 60-day IL, so there’s no veteran presence there.
Jessica: Wait, Laureano is still out? That’s huge. He’s a defensive wizard. Without him, the outfield depth is really tested.
Mark: It is. And Rodolfo Duran is also on the 60-day IL. So you’re missing multiple veterans. This makes the case for signing a veteran outfielder in free agency even stronger.
Jessica: Let’s look at the catchers. Luis Campusano, Freddy Fermin, Ethan Salas. Who wins the backup job behind the starter?
Mark: Campusano is the primary. Fermin is the experienced backup. Salas is the prospect. If you’re keeping three, it’s likely Campusano, Fermin, and maybe a fourth bat from the outfield.
Jessica: And the bullpen? Mason Miller is the closer. He returned from the paternity list just in time for Game 4. Jason Adam, Wandy Peralta, Bradgley Rodriguez—they seem set.
Mark: Miller is elite. But look at the depth. Jhony Brito, Griffin Canning, Jeremiah Estrada, Kyle Hart, Garrett Hawkins, Yuki Matsui, David Morgan, Hunter Stratton. That’s nine relievers. Most teams carry seven or eight in October.
Jessica: Nine? That’s a lot of arms. Who gets cut?
Mark: Stratton and Hawkins are probably the most vulnerable. They’re young, unproven in high-leverage spots. If you need to trim, they go.
Jessica: Alright, we’ve covered the rotation, the infield, and the outfield. Before we get to our final segment on who’s staying and who’s going, I want to take a quick moment to talk about how we keep this show running every single day.
Mark: Yeah, putting together these deep dives, analyzing the injuries, checking the stats—it takes a lot of work. And having a community of supporters helps us keep the content fresh and free for everyone.
Jessica: If you enjoy the show, please consider chipping in via the link in the episode description. Your support lets us keep bringing you daily analysis without ads or paywalls. Thank you for being part of the Beatline family.
Mark: We appreciate every listener. It keeps the lights on and the scripts flowing.
Jessica: Okay, let’s wrap this up. Final predictions. Who is definitely staying on the 40-man roster for spring training?
Mark: Machado, Tatis, Cronenworth, Bogaerts, Musgrove, Ray, Miller. Those are locks. Everyone else is fighting for a spot.
Jessica: Who is trending down? Who might be traded or released?
Mark: I think Hunter Stratton and Garrett Hawkins are in danger. Also, if they sign a big-name starter, maybe JP Sears or Casey Mize becomes expendable. The front office will be aggressive.
Jessica: Agreed. The Brewers beat them because they had more depth. The Padres need to match that. One last thing—who do you think wins the NLDS rematch with the Dodgers next year?
Mark: If they fix the rotation, San Diego has a real shot. But the Dodgers are always tough. I’ll say Padres in six games.
Jessica: There you have it. Roster battles, injury impacts, and playoff predictions. Thanks for listening to the Beatline Podcast Network.
Mark: Subscribe, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts. Let’s keep this conversation going.
Jessica: Go Padres! See you tomorrow.