The San Diego Padres are coming off a disappointing ending to what was ultimately a successful 2026 season.
San Diego was eliminated Wednesday night by the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS, but this was a series the Padres could have easily won if a few key turning points had gone differently. Instead, they are heading into another offseason with plenty of questions about what comes next. The Padres don't need to tear everything down, but they do need to start making difficult decisions about the roster.
It's time to discuss the future.
The Padres are in a strange position. They have enough talent to compete for another postseason run, but there are also holes that need to be addressed.
Robbie Ray, for example, should not be brought back after his underwhelming stint with the Padres. But free agency isn't the only way San Diego can reshape its roster. General manager A.J. Preller should be aggressive in the trade market, and there are three moves in particular that could help the Padres build a younger and better team.
Trade catcher Freddy Fermin
When the Padres acquired Freddy Fermin, the expectation was that they were getting a potential starting catcher who could provide quality offense while playing excellent defense. Fermin had spent the previous 3.5 seasons behind Salvador Perez in Kansas City and became a fan favorite because of his ability behind the plate.
Fermin (31) has shown that he has the baseball IQ and defensive ability to be an above-average MLB catcher, but San Diego doesn't necessarily need him long term. 20-year-old Ethan Salas and 28-year-old Luis Campusano are the organization's two long-term catching options, and there is no reason to keep three catchers competing for the same future role.
Fermin may not have much trade value, but there should be teams interested in a right-handed backup catcher who can provide defensive value. Preller shouldn't expect even a decent return, but if another team is willing to give the Padres a prospect or young player with even a chance of developing into something useful, it is worth making the move.
Stashing him in the minors or on the bench as a third catcher is a waste of everyone's time.
Trade second baseman/infielder Jake Cronenworth
Jake Cronenworth has earned his place in Padres history. He has provided countless important moments in San Diego, including his unforgettable clutch game-winning hit during the Padres' 2022 NLDS victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Sentimentality can't dictate the future of the roster, however.
Cronenworth has remained an excellent defensive player, but he never developed into the consistent offensive force the Padres once hoped he could become. His best years offensively are behind him, and San Diego needs to consider whether his contract and production still make sense for where the team is headed.
With four years of control remaining, there should be enough interest for Preller to find a team willing to take a chance on Cronenworth. Sung-Mun Song is already in the organization and could potentially become the team's second baseman for the foreseeable future, although San Diego could also pursue another option.
Cronenworth's time in San Diego has been valuable, but it is time for both sides to move on.
Trade for younger, controllable starting pitching
Article Continues BelowThis is the move that matters most. The Padres need to get younger on the mound. Their roster has too many veteran pitchers whose futures are uncertain, and several of those arms are either pending free agents or have options that need to be addressed.
San Diego has decisions involving Robbie Ray, Casey Mize, Walker Buehler, Lucas Giolito, and others, while Michael King, Nick Pivetta, and Griffin Canning also have player/team options surrounding their futures. The Padres need to prioritize bringing back pitchers such as King and Pivetta, while Adrian Morejon should also be a priority.
Beyond that, Preller needs to find ways to acquire younger starting pitching with years of control. That would mean getting creative.
Wandy Peralta, Jeremiah Estrada, and JP Sears are all players who could potentially have some value on the trade market. Even Jason Adam could become a difficult but necessary trade candidate if another team offers the type of young starting pitcher San Diego desperately needs. The Padres could also consider attaching an offensive prospect to one of those players to make a deal happen.
Preller has spent years trading prospects for established MLB talent. That strategy helped build competitive teams, but it has also depleted some of the organization's pitching depth. The Padres can't continue solving every problem with veteran additions.
They need to replenish the pipeline.
San Diego doesn't need a complete rebuild after reaching the postseason again. It needs a smart retooling of the roster, and these three trades could help Preller accomplish exactly that.