2 San Diego Padres who worked out in 2023 and 2 who didn't

These two players have worked out well for the San Diego Padres in 2023

Gary Sanchez

Austin Nola struggled big time at the beginning of the season and the Padres went out and took a chance on Sanchez after he was released twice earlier in the season by the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants. It’s safe to say that the move worked out very well.

Sanchez came in and made an impact with the pitching staff and his biggest impact was made with Blake Snell. From June to August, Snell was the Friars’ best pitcher and he was a part in July when they made a move in the standings that allowed them to become buyers.

Offensively, Sanchez has supplied pop at the bottom of the lineup that other players were not able to provide. The former New York Yankees catch has 18 home runs and 44 RBI with the Padres. This will be an interesting decision for Preller this offseason with Sanchez on whether or not he comes back in 2024. If he does, he could be one of the cheaper options out there.

Michael Wacha 

Bogaerts was not the only member of the 2022 Red Sox to head to Southern California as pitcher Michael Wacha also signed with San Diego. The right-hander, before getting injured, was very good when taking the ball every fifth day.

He is 10-2 this season in 18 starts with a 2.84 ERA in 101.1 innings pitched with 90 strikeouts. He has made three starts since returning from his injury going 2-0 with a 2.87 ERA against the Baltimore Orioles, Miami Marlins, and Milwaukee Brewers. Wacha signed a four-year, $26 million contract last winter and is a big piece of the rotation looking ahead to 2024. This was a low-risk, high-reward move that has worked out.