Padres’ pursuit of Kazuma Okamoto confirmed one painfully obvious roster hole

The San Diego Padres aren’t known to really do “quiet” offseasons. They do something more like: “A.J. Preller disappears into a back room with 47 phones and re-emerges with something chaotic.” However, in early January, the vibe around San Diego is pretty clear: the roster is close… but it’s definitely not finished. AJ Cassavell noted pitchers and catchers are about five weeks from reporting, and he guessed Preller is only about halfway done with his winter work. 

The latest breadcrumb came via MLB.com executive reporter Mark Feinsand: the Padres were in the bidding for Japanese corner infielder Kazuma Okamoto before he signed with the Toronto Blue Jays. 

Padres’ Okamoto pursuit signals a restless push for a real first baseman

We don’t know how far the Padres pushed it, but we don’t need the exact dollar amount to get the point. Their interest basically put a giant, blinking arrow over the one spot on the lineup card that still looks like a rough draft: first base. 

There are names on the roster who can stand there. Gavin Sheets can play first. Luis Campusano has played first. Cassavell even floated the idea of using new addition Sung-Mun Song at first, or sliding Jake Cronenworth over while Song takes second. But the key word was “stopgaps.” They are all contingency plans and not the solution that makes the Padres feel great on Opening Day. Or when the Dodgers roll into town and you’re trying to win a real division race. 

The Padres’ lineup needs one more bat, and the only true vacancy is at first base. The “please buy something here” display in the store window. Cassavell’s read was blunt — San Diego doesn’t need to splurge, but it does need a solid hitter who can slot somewhere around sixth or seventh and keep the lineup from turning into a two-inning nap in the middle. 

The problem is that the market isn’t exactly overflowing with first base options. A trade is very much on the table, and even the free-agent fits are limited. Luis Arraez is still unsigned so maybe they’ll call him the best fit. If so, missing on Okamoto stings. But it also clarifies the mission: until the Padres find a real first baseman, Preller’s shopping season isn’t close to over.