Former Padres’ deal with Mariners puts more uncertainty on infield

Another of San Diego's 2024 additions has left after just one season with the team. Donovan Solano, a free agency acquisition last season who put up sneaky good numbers at the plate, has just signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal with Seattle. After spending a majority of his time as a utility man in the infield for the Padres, Solano is expected to continue that role in Seattle.

The departure adds another gap in the Padres lineup for 2025, this time losing out on an above average bat and defensive presence at first. Solano, who hit .286 in 96 games with San Diego last season, has been one most underrated hitters in the league since his breakout season in 2019, where he batted .330 in 81 games.

More infield questions arise with Solano departure

Solano's presence at the plate is something the Padres are going to desperately miss in the coming season. Known for his patient at bats and given the nickname "Donnie Barrels" by Padres announcer Don Orsillo, Solano consistently put up big league at bats when called upon. Although not an everyday player, the depth he provided was a key reason why the Padres were so successful.

Looking at the infield for 2025, Solano's exit leaves San Diego with a gap that needs to be filled. With trade talks surrounding Luis Arraez still ongoing, and rumours about the Padres shopping Jake Cronenworth, the team is in desperate need of right side infield players. To make matters a little more complicated, the free agency status of Kim Ha-seong means the Padres currently do not have a starting second baseman, assuming Xander Bogaerts would return to his role at short.

Still looking to make moves in free agency, the Padres may now need to start heavily looking at the infield market. A reunion with fan favorite Kim Ha-seong now seems more likely, given the fact San Diego is now in a buy mode, and possible suitors for Kim including the Atlanta Braves are yet to make a move. The Padres could also look internally to temporarily fill the gap, with players like Tyler Wade and Eguy Rosario stepping into those infield roles, but adding a bonafide MLB caliber infielder should be top priority for General Manager AJ Preller.

Options for Preller, however, are dwindling. The list of available infield free agents is one that does not have much youth, so San Diego may be finding another year long solution, much like they did with Solano last year. Names like Anthony Rizzo, Connor Joe, and Ty France resonate as serviceable MLB players, but how much Preller is willing to spend in a payroll shedding off season is still up for debate.