3 Padres offseason mistakes that look more glaring every day

Look around the league: contenders have reliable, productive catchers who contribute on both sides of the ball. They manage pitching staffs, control the running game, and provide quality at-bats — even power in many cases. Meanwhile, the Padres’ production from that spot has ranked near the bottom of the league, and it shows. It’s not just about Luis Campusano’s potential anymore — it’s about the reality of the position not producing at a winning level.

Relying on one unproven player without a dependable veteran presence or even a solid defensive backup is a gamble that’s not paying off. Injuries happen, slumps happen, and asking Campusano to shoulder the full load without consistent support isn’t fair to him — or to the team. This isn’t a rebuilding club trying to see what it has. This is a team with postseason expectations, high-priced stars, and a fanbase hungry for more than just flashes of promise.

This team has the stars — now it needs the structure. Catcher may not be the flashiest position, but it’s one of the most important. And until the Padres treat it that way, they’ll keep falling just short of where they’re trying to go. So, the Padres’ biggest offseason mistakes continue to haunt them: the lack of legitimate upgrades at catcher and designated hitter.

Despite Luis Campusano’s breakout potential, the front office put all their chips on internal development rather than shoring up a critical position with depth or veteran stability. Campusano has battled injuries and inconsistency in his young career, and while his offensive upside is real, relying on him without a proven backup option was risky. The result? Padres catchers rank 22nd in OPS at the position, providing minimal offensive support in an era where productive catchers are no longer a luxury — they’re a necessity.

Campusano is currently mired in a brutal slump. Over his last seven games, he’s gone 0-for-15 with no walks and several strikeouts, a .000 on-base percentage during this stretch. While the team has praised his work with pitchers, his offensive output has vanished at a time when the Padres can least afford it. So, the Padres' delay in addressing this position has already cost them several key opportunities to produce runs.

The DH spot, traditionally reserved for power bats and run producers, has been one of the weakest links in the San Diego lineup. Rather than signing or trading for a dedicated slugger in the offseason, the team chose a revolving-door approach, piecing together at-bats from fringe hitters, platoon options, or struggling veterans. This inconsistency has tanked the Padres’ production in a role designed to be an offensive anchor.

The Padres' top-heavy lineup is already showing signs of strain. While the big names — Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Xander Bogaerts — still pose a threat, baseball is a game of balance. As regression inevitably hits the stars over the course of a 162-game season, the team desperately needs production from the bottom half of the order to stay competitive. That includes left field (where the team ranks 27th in OPS) and the aforementioned catcher and DH positions.

The reliance on stars to carry the load has become a glaring flaw. When those top-tier bats aren’t firing on all cylinders, the lack of depth becomes magnified. Teams with postseason aspirations cannot afford multiple offensive black holes, especially in key lineup spots. The Padres’ offseason inactivity in addressing these roles has created exactly that — and now, the margin for error is razor-thin.

The Padres are showing signs of life, but now is the time to take it to the next level

The front office can't afford to sit back any longer. Yes, the Padres have won six straight, including a three-game sweep in Pittsburgh and back-to-back wins in San Francisco; and that’s a real sign of life. The team’s showing heart, and fans are loving it. But let’s not ignore the bigger picture: there are still holes in this roster that need fixing if we want to keep this momentum going. Padres fans show up, we believe, and we deserve a lineup built to compete from top to bottom. Let’s build on this, not coast on it. With the Padres facing off against the Yankees in New York, these games could be telling. A strong performance here would show that the team’s on the right track, while a slip-up could expose the gaps that still need filling. It’s a crucial moment, and this game could help set the tone for what’s to come.