Jessica: Garrett Mitchell just robbed Manny Machado of a game-tying home run on the wall, and it cost the Padres their season. But now that the dust has settled from that brutal NLDS exit to Milwaukee, we’re not looking back—we’re looking at who’s staying and who’s going.
Mark: It’s a harsh reality check for San Diego. They finished 91-71, first in the NL West, but a depleted rotation and a late-inning defensive gem by Garrett Mitchell ended their year. The offseason questions are immediate and urgent.
Jessica: Welcome to Beatline, America’s number one daily sports podcast network. I’m Jessica, and this is your daily Padres breakdown. Mark, let’s set the stage for today’s roster battles.
Mark: Right. We’ve got three major battles to tackle today. First, the catcher situation behind Luis Campusano. Second, the infield flexibility with so many utility guys like Jake Cronenworth and Mason McCoy. And third, the glaring hole in starting pitching that needs a veteran fix.
Jessica: We’ll break down exactly why the catching depth chart is shaky, how the infield might shuffle, and who the front office needs to target in free agency to get back to the NLCS. Stick with us.
Jessica: Let’s start with the battery. Luis Campusano was our primary catcher, but we know he’s dealt with injuries. Who else is in the mix right now?
Mark: The list is short. You have Freddy Fermin and Ethan Salas. That’s it for the main catching options besides Campusano. Fermin brings experience, but Salas is young and raw.
Jessica: So if Campusano isn’t 100%, are we relying on Fermin to hold the position? That feels risky against a lineup like Milwaukee’s.
Mark: Exactly. Fermin is a defensive-minded guy, which is good, but he doesn’t offer much offensive upside. If you’re playing him every day, you’re ceding a run or two per month compared to a better hitter. And Salas? He’s still developing his plate discipline.
Jessica: It seems like the front office needs to look externally here. Do they trade for a veteran backup, or sign someone?
Mark: I think they need to upgrade the entire group. Campusano is great when healthy, but having Fermin as the only real alternative is a liability. In October, you can’t afford to have your catcher be a matchup problem for opposing pitchers.
Jessica: Agreed. We talked about this yesterday—Campusano’s health is paramount. If he goes down again, the whole offense stalls. This isn’t just a depth issue; it’s a competitive issue.
Mark: Right. And remember, the Brewers eliminated them in four games. Part of that was the pitching fatigue, but also, the offense couldn’t string hits together. A weak-catch situation often leads to more wild pitches and passed balls, which kills momentum.
Jessica: Let’s move to the infield. You’ve got Xander Bogaerts at short, Manny Machado at third, Ty France at first, and Jake Cronenworth at second. That looks solid on paper.
Mark: It does, but look at the rest of the roster. You have Mason McCoy, Sung-Mun Song, Gage Workman, and Gavin Sheets. That’s a lot of bodies for very few spots. It’s a crowded logjam.
Jessica: Mason McCoy is interesting. He played second base, but he’s also versatile. Does he push Cronenworth out of the everyday role?
Mark: Cronenworth is a platoon specialist. He’s excellent against lefties but struggles against right-handed pitching. If McCoy offers more power or better defense, he could steal some at-bats. But honestly, the bigger battle is at third base. Gage Workman is there too.
Jessica: Workman vs. Machado? That’s a tough one. Machado is an all-time great defender. Workman is young and athletic.
Mark: Machawan isn’t going anywhere. Workman is likely a fourth outfielder or bench bat unless Machado gets injured. The real question is whether they keep both McCoy and Song. One of those guys is probably gone after spring training.
Jessica: So we’re looking at cuts there. Maybe Song stays as a utility piece, but McCoy might need to prove himself in camp. It’s a tight race for the final roster spot.
Mark: Exactly. And don’t forget about Rodolfo Duran and Ramon Laureane being on the 60-day IL. Their absence hurt the infield flexibility significantly last season. When they return, it adds even more pressure on these younger players.
Jessica: Wait, Duran and Laurene are still on the 60-day IL? I thought they were done for the year.
Mark: They are, technically, but they’re still part of the organizational depth. Once they’re activated, they take roster spots away from people like McCoy or Song. It’s a numbers game.
Jessica: That’s a key point. The injury list is long. Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the rotation. We lost to Milwaukee partly because our starters couldn’t go deep into games.
Mark: It was catastrophic. Walker Buehler, Michael King, Joe Musgrove, Nick Pivetta, Robbie Ray, JP Sears, Casey Mize, Randy Vasquez, Griffin Canning... that’s nine arms. But did they perform? No. We need a true ace.
Jessica: Nine starters is a lot, but quality over quantity. We predicted yesterday that they’d sign a veteran starter to a one-year deal. Is that still the top priority?
Mark: Non-negotiable. Without a reliable fifth starter or a mid-tier ace, you’re gambling on your bullpen every single night. Jason Adam and Mason Miller are elite, but you can’t rely on them for six outs every game.
Jessica: So, signing a veteran starter is Plan A. What’s Plan B?
Mark: Plan B is hoping Yuki Matsui and Bradgley Rodriguez develop faster than expected. Matsui has been promising in relief, but moving him to the rotation is a risk. And Jhony Brito? He’s talented but unproven at this level.
Jessica: It’s a high-wire act. If the rotation doesn’t improve, the playoffs stay out of reach. Let’s shift gears to the outfield. Jackson Merrill, Fernando Tatis Jr., Dustin Harris, Samad Taylor, Jase Bowen.
Mark: Tatis and Merrill are locks. Tatis is the franchise player, and Merrill is the future. The battle is for the third spot and the DH role. Austin Hays and Will Wagner are also in the mix for DH duties.
Jessica: Hays has been inconsistent lately. Do you see him losing his spot to someone like Bowen or Taylor?
Mark: If Hays doesn’t pick up his hitting, yes. Taylor is a switch-hitter with speed, which fits the modern game. Bowen is a rookie with raw power. The front office wants to build around youth, so Taylor might edge it out if Hays continues to struggle with plate discipline.
Jessica: It’s a classic case of proving yourself in camp. One bad spring, and you’re watching from the stands. Alright, let’s wrap up Segment 1 with the catching debate. We said it’s a weakness. Do you agree?
Mark: I do. It’s a glaring hole. If you want to win the NLCS rematch against the Dodgers, you need a catcher who can handle a heavy workload and block pitches. Fermin can block, but he can’t hit. And that matters in tight games.
Jessica: So, upgrade at catcher, add a starter, and cut some infielders. That’s the roadmap. Let’s take a quick break. We’ll be right back with more roster battles.
Jessica: Welcome back. We’re diving deeper into the roster battles. Segment 2: Two more critical questions. First, the bullpen usage. Mason Miller is the closer, but who’s the setup man?
Mark: Jason Adam is the obvious choice. He’s been dominant. Then you have Wandy Peralta, Adrian Morejon, and Hunter Stratton. It’s a deep group, but consistency is key.
Jessica: Stratton had some ups and downs last year. Can he hold a middle-relief role?
Mark: He has stuff, but command issues. If he can’t find the strike zone, he’s a liability. I think Peralta and Morejon are safer bets for high-leverage innings. But Miller is the anchor. Getting him back from paternity leave for Game 4 was huge, but it showed how thin the margins are.
Jessica: Miller returning was a spark, but did he pitch well in that game?
Mark: He wasn’t able to stop the bleeding. The damage was done earlier. That’s why the rotation needs to be stronger. You can’t put the burden on Miller every time.
Jessica: Second battle: The DH spot. Miguel Andujar, Austin Hays, Will Wagner. Who wins the job?
Mark: Andujar provides power, but his OBP is low. Hays is more consistent but lacks pop. Wagner is a contact hitter. I think they’ll go with a platoon. Andujar against lefties, Hays against righties. It’s a committee approach.
Jessica: A committee DH sounds messy. Doesn’t that limit the manager’s options?
Mark: It does. But it also maximizes the strengths of each player. If they can find one guy who can do both, that’s ideal. But given the current roster, a platoon makes sense. It keeps everyone involved.
Jessica: Let’s talk about the minors. Are there any call-ups that could impact the big league roster?
Mark: Angel Zerpa and Brian Fitzpatrick are on the 60-day IL, so they’re out for now. But Quinn Priester is another pitcher to watch. If he’s ready, he could compete for a spot in the bullpen or rotation.
Jessica: Priester is a reliever? I thought he was a starter.
Mark: He’s been used in both roles. With the rotation so crowded and underperforming, they might try him in the bullpen to see if he can provide a boost. It’s a gamble, but worth it if he has the stuff.
Jessica: Gambling on prospects is always risky. One bad outing and you’ve exposed a young player. But in baseball, you have to take chances.
Mark: Absolutely. And remember, the Brewers didn’t just beat us; they exposed weaknesses. Garrett Mitchell’s triple and pivotal catch were highlights for them, but flaws for us. We need to address those flaws before spring training.
Jessica: Mitchell’s defense was spectacular. It’s frustrating to watch a team get eliminated by a defensive gem. But it shows how fine the margins are.
Mark: It does. And it underscores the need for offense. If the Padres had scored one more run, maybe the game goes to extras. Maybe Miller gets a cleaner save opportunity. It’s all connected.
Jessica: Connected indeed. So, bullpen stability, DH platooning, and prospect gambles. That’s the landscape. Let’s head to Segment 3 for our final predictions.
Mark: Yes. We’re going to predict who makes the team and who gets sent down. It’s going to be painful for some fans.
Jessica: Painful but necessary. Let’s get into it.
Jessica: Segment 3: Roster-cut predictions. Who’s trending up and who’s trending down? Starting with the infield. Mason McCoy vs. Sung-Mun Song. Who keeps their job?
Mark: McCoy. He’s older, more experienced, and has shown flashes of power. Song is intriguing but hasn’t proven he can hit MLB pitching consistently. McCoy edges it out.
Jessica: Fair enough. McCoy gets the nod. What about the outfield? Austin Hays vs. Jase Bowen. Who wins the third outfield spot?
Mark: This is tricky. Hays is the veteran. But Bowen is young and hungry. I think Hays holds on because of his defensive reliability. Bowen will likely start in AAA unless Hays starts slowly.
Jessica: So Hays is safe, but on thin ice. Got it. Now, the biggest battle: Catcher. Freddy Fermin vs. Ethan Salas. Who is the backup to Campusano?
Mark: Fermin. Period. He’s the experienced backup. Salas is projectable, but you don’t risk a rookie behind the plate in September. Fermin knows how to handle a staff.
Jessica: Makes sense. Experience wins. Now, the DH. Miguel Andujar vs. Will Wagner. Who gets the majority of at-bats?
Mark: Andujar. His power is needed. Wagner is a backup option. Andujar’s swing-and-miss style is risky, but you need that home run threat.
Jessica: Power trumps contact in this case. Okay, final prediction: The most important addition. We said a veteran starter. Who do you see wearing a Padres uniform next year?
Mark: I think they go after a proven mid-tier starter. Someone like a Carlos Rodón type or a similar arm. Not necessarily a Cy Young winner, but someone who can eat innings and give the bullpen a break.
Jessica: A workhorse. Exactly what they lacked. If they don’t get that, the cycle repeats. 91 wins, early playoff exit. It’s a vicious circle.
Mark: It is. And that’s why this offseason is make-or-break. They have the core. Machado, Tatis, Merrill, Campusano. But the supporting cast needs to improve drastically.
Jessica: Supporting cast is the key phrase. The stars are there. The shadows need to brighten. Alright, Mark, any final thoughts on the roster battles?
Mark: Just that the front office needs to be decisive. Hesitation costs championships. Sign the starter, lock in the catcher, and clear out the infield clutter.
Jessica: Decisive action. Love it. Let’s bring it home.
Jessica: Today we broke down the catcher depth crisis, the infield logjam, and the urgent need for a veteran starter. The Padres have the talent, but the details matter. Make sure to subscribe, rate, and review Beatline wherever you listen. And hey, if these daily breakdowns help fuel your morning commute or keep you connected to the team you love, a small tip via the link in the episode description is what keeps us coming back with fresh insights every single day. Thank you for listening. Go Padres!