Padres News: Jose Abreu chase, Kodai Senga rumors, Jorge Alfaro’s future

The offseason is only a few weeks old, and the latest buzz indicates the San Diego Padres will make several statement moves this winter.

Having already re-signed pitchers Nick Martinez and Robert Suarez, both of whom were instrumental in the Padres’ magical run to the NLCS, general manager AJ Preller can afford to focus on other needs for the time being.

With an aggressive executive like Preller pulling the strings, San Diego will be linked with seemingly every big-name free agent that fits within the team’s needs and spending budget. That would certainly explain why the Padres have emerged as players in the shortstop market with stars Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts, Trea Turner and Dansby Swanson all available to be signed.

Let’s take a look at some other relevant San Diego news fans should be cognizant of before the holiday weekend.

More Padres News

• With a vacancy at first base and designated hitter, the Padres have reportedly identified former AL MVP Jose Abreu as a “top priority” this offseason after nine exemplary seasons with the White Sox. Abreu boasts a career .292/.354/.506 slash line and has averaged 27 home runs and over 95 RBI per season with a .860 OPS. Suffice it to say he’d be a fantastic signing for San Diego.
• The Padres met with coveted Japanese starter Kodai Senga last week. They’re one of many teams showing interest in Senga, including the Yankees, Red Sox, Giants and Mets. While each team poses a threat to secure Senga’s signature, San Diego might have the upper hand in the sweepstakes given Senga is close with Yu Darvish and played with Suarez and Martinez overseas.
• Elsewhere, the Padres sadly non-tendered cult hero Jorge Alfaro. The catcher only lasted one season in San Diego, but he won’t soon be forgotten around these parts after setting a franchise record with five walk-offs.
• Former Padres stars Huston Street and Gary Sheffield were named on the 2023 Hall of Fame ballot. Street owned a 2.95 ERA with 324 saves in his career, including a 2.03 ERA in nearly three years with the Friars.

MLB News

• The Padres’ NL West rivals are also contemplating big splashes. Aaron Judge was spotted in San Francisco for a free agent visit with the Giants, who are shaping up to be the biggest threats to the Yankees in the Judge chase.
• After losing Tyler Anderson to the Angels, the Dodgers are reportedly in the mix for reigning AL Cy Young Justin Verlander. Los Angeles has also been linked with Aaron Judge, and those rumors seemingly won’t be going anywhere after the club non-tendered former NLCS MVP Cody Bellinger this week.

That’s all we have … for now. The Giants and Dodgers have ample money to spend this offseason, so you can all but guarantee a few more stars joining the NL West. The Padres are going to have something to say about that, however.

Perfect Padres buy-low trade target might reside in Chicago

The San Diego Padres might be able to trade for Chicago White Sox ace Lucas Giolito at a discounted price due to his poor 2022 season.