Jessica: The Brewers just took the World Series, and San Diego is staring down a hard reality check. But don't click away yet—because while the playoff run ended in Milwaukee, the real story for the Padres isn't over. It’s happening right now, on the roster sheet.
Mark: That’s right. We’re looking at eight players on the 60-Day IL. The rotation is thin, the bullpen is crowded with arms who need to prove they belong, and two key position groups are wide open for competition. This is a roster that needs to be rebuilt from the ground up before Spring Training.
Jessica: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network, where we break down every angle of the game you love. I’m Jessica, and I’m here with Mark. If you missed our breakdown yesterday of how Michael King and Sonny Gray hit free agency, go back and listen—it sets the stage perfectly for what we’re doing today.
Mark: Yesterday we talked about the big names leaving. Today, we’re talking about who stays, who goes, and who fights for a spot. We’ve got three segments coming up: the catcher battle between Campusano and Fermin, the infield shuffle at second base, and finally, who makes the Opening Day roster when cuts happen.
Jessica: Stick with us. The Padres finished 91-71, first in the NL West, but that record hides some serious structural issues heading into the offseason. Let’s dive into the most critical position battle on this team.
Jessica: Segment One: The Catcher Battle. Luis Campusano has been the guy for years. But Freddy Fermin? He’s been heating up. And then there’s Ethan Salas, the prospect everyone is watching. Who starts behind the plate in 2027?
Mark: It’s not even close if you look at defensive metrics. Campusano is still the superior defender. His framing keeps pitchers in the zone, and his arm is elite. Fermin is a bat-first catcher. You play him when you need offense, not as your everyday starter unless Campusano struggles mightily.
Jessica: But wait, what about Ethan Salas? He’s young, he’s athletic, and the front office loves his ceiling. Does he win a job in camp?
Mark: Unlikely to start immediately. The jump from Double-A to MLB catching is huge. Salas will likely begin in Triple-A or as a backup to Fermin if they decide to trade Campusano. But given the injury list, they can’t afford to lose Campusano’s stability right now.
Jessica: So it’s Campusano and Fermin splitting time? Or is one clearly the number two option?
Mark: Campusano is the starter. Fermin is the platoon partner. If they bring in a veteran like Sonny Gray, maybe they keep both. But if they cut costs, Fermin’s contract becomes tricky. He’s valuable, but not irreplaceable.
Jessica: I think the fans want to see Salas sooner rather than later. Do you feel pressured by the prospect pipeline?
Mark: Pressure? No. Strategy? Yes. You develop talent, but you don’t rush it onto a field where every pitch matters. Campusano is proven. Fermin is proven. Salas is potential. In baseball, proven wins games. Potential wins futures.
Jessica: Fair point. So Campusano holds the fort. Let’s move to the infield. Second base is a mess right now.
Jessica: Jake Cronenworth is under contract, but he’s played everywhere. Mason McCoy is there. Sung-Mun Song is there. Who actually plays second base when the season starts?
Mark: Cronenworth is the answer. He’s versatile, he’s consistent, and he knows the system. McCoy and Song are depth pieces. They’ll compete in spring training, but Cronenworth’s plate discipline and OBP make him too valuable to bench.
Jessica: What if they trade Cronenworth? Then it’s an open fight. Who wins?
Mark: Then it’s messy. McCoy has power but low contact rates. Song has speed but limited pop. Without Cronenworth, you’re looking at a committee approach. That’s risky in a division where Milwaukee just won it all.
Jessica: Right. You can’t afford inconsistency at second base. What about third base? Manny Machado is the anchor, but Gage Workman is pushing him.
Mark: Workman doesn’t push Machado. Not yet. Machado is still elite defensively. Workman is a project. He needs more time in the minors to refine his swing mechanics. Right now, he’s a fourth infielder at best.
Jessica: So Machado stays put. And what about outfield? Jackson Merrill is locked in center field. But left field? Dustin Harris vs. Samad Taylor?
Mark: Harris has shown flashes of power. Taylor has speed. But neither is a lock. They’ll both be in camp. The winner depends on who handles pitching better. Left-handed pitching tends to expose Taylor’s gaps.
Jessica: And right field? Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jase Bowen competing? Or is Tatis the clear favorite?
Mark: Tatis is the favorite. When healthy, he’s a top-tier player. Bowen is a journeyman type. He’ll get looks, but Tatis brings the star power and the lineup protection needed around Machado and Bogaerts.
Jessica: Wait, Xander Bogaerts is still on the roster? I thought he was gone after last year.
Mark: He is. Look at the list again. Bogaerts is SS. Machado is 3B. They’re keeping the core intact. It’s surprising, but smart. Those two provide stability in a sea of uncertainty.
Jessica: Okay, so the infield is anchored by Bogaerts, Machado, and Cronenworth. Outfield is Tatis, Merrill, and a battle in left. Now let’s talk bullpens. There are nine relievers listed here.
Jessica: Segment Three: Roster Cuts. Nine relievers for five spots? Who gets sent down? Mason Miller is the closer. Bradgley Rodriguez is the setup man. Who else makes the team?
Mark: Miller and Rodriguez are locks. Joe Musgrove and JP Sears are starters, but if they struggle, they could slide into long relief. Wandy Peralta is a veteran lefty specialist. He’s safe. The next spot is up for grabs.
Jessica: Who are the candidates for those last two spots?
Mark: Jhony Brito, Griffin Canning, Jeremiah Estrada, Kyle Hart, Garrett Hawkins, Yuki Matsui, David Morgan, Hunter Stratton. That’s eight guys for two spots. It’s brutal.
Jessica: Griffin Canning was a starter originally. Can he flip back?
Mark: He can, but his velocity has dropped. If he can’t hit 95 consistently, he’s not closing. He’s a middle-relief option. But with guys like Brito throwing 100 mph, Canning might find himself in Triple-A.
Jessica: Yuki Matsui is interesting. He’s had success in Japan. Does that translate?
Mark: It translates well. His control is excellent. He’s a strong candidate for a roster spot. He gives you a different look. Left-handed bats hate his slider.
Jessica: So Matsui and Peralta seem like the safest bets after Miller and Rodriguez. What about the DH spot? Miguel Andujar vs. Will Wagner?
Mark: Andujar provides power. Wagner provides contact. In the National League, DH usage is strategic. Andujar’s power fits the mold better for late-game situations. Wagner is more of a bench bat.
Jessica: Final prediction: Who’s trending up? Who’s trending down?
Mark: Trending up: Yuki Matsui and Freddy Fermin. They have skills that fit modern baseball. Trending down: Griffin Canning and Jacob Misiorowski. Misiorowski is day-to-day, but his future is unclear with the infield crowded.
Jessica: We predicted a veteran starter would sign. We predicted 98 wins. Now we see the roster taking shape. It’s going to be a busy winter for San Diego. Thanks for listening to the Beatline Podcast Network.
Mark: If these daily breakdowns help you navigate the offseason hype, consider supporting the show. A small tip through the link in the episode description keeps us independent and free for everyone. Your support means everything.
Jessica: Subscribe, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts. Share this with a fellow Padre fan. Let’s get them to 98 wins together. Go Padres!