Peter Seidler discusses if Padres can keep 4 stars in San Diego

The San Diego Padres have gone for broke in the last few offseasons, deciding that it’s better to add multiple ultra-talented difference-makers and figure where they fit in later. That mindset helped them beat out multiple other contenders as they signed Xander Bogaerts. 

Despite having extended potential outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. after a terrific 2020 season, seeing Manny Machado earn every dollar of his massive contract, and making a gargantuan trade for Juan Soto, the Padres spent $280 million over 11 years in order to convince Bogaerts to leave the Boston Red Sox.

With such an immediate influx of cash on the roster and so many players demanding huge deals, some Padres fans are starting to worry that Peter Seidler and A.J. Preller might not be able to keep everyone together for very long. When asked about it, Seidler hinted that things are going to work themselves out eventually.

Seidler said that he is “year-to-year” when asked about how long he thinks this group can stay together, but he also said that he has an immense amount of trust in Preller and that he will be involved in those discussions. While not an affirmative yes, Seidler definitely sounds like someone who wants to win for the next decade.

Can the San Diego Padres keep their stars together?

Soto is such a transformative piece that he will get locked up long-term at some point, so Machado opting out and leaving would be the most likely way this foursome breaks up. After hitting .298 with 32 homers and 102 RBI while coming in second behind Paul Goldschmidt in MVP voting, Machado remains one of the game’s best infielders.

While Bogaerts is signed for the next decade with no opt-outs and a no-trade clause, the fact that his AAV is just north of $25 million (lower than Kris Bryant) could give the Padres some flexibility. Bogaerts has been an All-Star in his last three eligible seasons and a consistent .300 hitter, so that price tag is not outrageous.

There is still a possibility that this experiment doesn’t go well, and fans need to be aware of that. Between Tatis moving positions and the fact that having four contracts over $280 million is unprecedented, there are reasons to doubt how long this group will stay together. Can names like Yu Darvish and Josh Hader be retained?

If San Diego can somehow pull this off, it’s hard to find a team that will have a better top-half of their lineup than the Padres. With Bogaerts and Tatis getting on base at the top of the order before Soto and Machado knock them in, starting pitchers will dread having to suit up at Petco Park.

Projecting Padres’ stacked 2023 lineup after Xander Bogaerts signing

The Padres signed shortstop Xander Boagerts to an 11-year, $280 million contract. Here's a projection of San Diego's 2023 lineup with Bogaerts.