Padres sign former Rays playoff hero to minor-league contract

Well, it isn't the blockbuster move that San Diego Padres fans were hoping for this offseason, but AJ Preller and the front office staff have remained active at the margins. Everyone has been waiting for the Friars to sign a young international star or fix some mistakes made this winter, but fans will have to settle for Preller's latest acquisition on Dec. 28.

The Padres signed 30-year-old utilityman Mike Brosseau to a minor-league contract. This signing won't call for any parades to be thrown, but Padres fans can take comfort in the fact that the team's Triple-A depth/competition at spring training will be lively.

Brosseau is known for his game-winning home run in the ALDS off of Aroldis Chapman in a 10-pitch battle to eliminate the New York Yankees from the postseason, but he has not seen much time in the spotlight since then.

Padres News: San Diego signs Mike Brosseau to minor-league contract

He didn't play at the big-league level in 2024, spending time in Triple-A with each of the Mets and Royals organizations. He did find some success in 93 games with Triple-A Syracuse, however, logging a .276 average with 15 home runs and 37 walks before ending his campaign on the injured list.

In the majors, he is a career .242 hitter with a 104 OPS+ across five seasons, logging significant time at third base, second base, and first base. The Padres could benefit from an infielder with experience at several positions, considering Ha-Seong Kim is gone and Luis Arraez is potentially on the outs.

Who knows, if Brosseau can ressurect his career in San Diego's system, he could play his way into a rotating role player whenever Mike Shildt needs a guy to fill an infield spot.

The Padres still have a way to go before they are on par with contending alongside their NL West foes in the Dodgers (and now even the Giants and Diamondbacks after their offseasons). To hopefully try and combat the incessant signings, the Friars need a bigger move soon before all the talent gets swiped. Brosseau isn't that, but at least the front office being proactive, which could foreshadow something down the road.