5 reasons San Diego Padres fans can be thankful this Thanksgiving

On thanksgiving, families around America gather to give thanks for everything they have been blessed with. The San Diego Padres have plenty to be grateful for too. Here are five things the Padres can be thankful for in 2025.

5 reasons the San Diego Padres can still be thankful this Thanksgiving

Tatís and Merrill in the outfield for the next nine years

Barring any sort of crazy trade, the Padres are guaranteed to have two superstars in their outfield for the next nine years. Not many other teams can say that. With Fernando Tatís Jr signed through 2034 and Jackson Merrill signed through 2035, San Diego is set up for lots of success, at least in the outfield at Petco Park.

Mason Miller's 100 MPH fastball

The Padres' took a big swing last season trading for flamethrowing Mason Miller. The decision appeared to pay off early on, with Miller pitching to a sub-2 ERA as a Padre down the stretch. His 101 MPH fastball is almost unhittable, and no matter what role he ends up in next year, Miller will certainly be a force to be reckoned with for San Diego.

The shutdown bullpen

San Diego boasted the best bullpen in baseball last year, led by Robert Suarez, Mason Miller, Jason Adam, Adrian Morejon, and Wandy Peralta. Even with Suarez and Peralta out the door this winter, San Diego still has three all-stars in their bullpen, making it one of their biggest strengths in 2026.

The veterans in the infield

Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts on the left side of the infield continue to provide the veteran presence and leadership the Padres' need. While Bogaerts might not be the same player he was in Boston, he is still a great defender with experience and the tools to perform when the club needs him to. Machado, meanwhile, is coming off an All-Star season and back-to-back years finishing 16th in MVP voting.

AJ Preller's "anything to win" mentality

The Padres should be very grateful for their general manager, who has shown he will do anything and everything to win. When you play in a division with the powerhouse Dodgers and the historically great Giants, you need to do everything it takes to give yourselves an edge. Preller understands that.

He's willing to make big trades, sign free agents to big deals, and give out massive extensions to his young stars. He takes risks, and makes decisions with only one goal in mind: "how can I bring a World Series championship to San Diego." It's that kind of mentality that makes AJ Preller one of the best GM's in the league.