3 bold predictions for the San Diego Padres at 2023 winter meetings

San Diego Padres sign J.D. Martinez

Going into this offseason, Preller has to have a different plan at DH to add a bat, especially on the right side. He has Matt Carpenter on the left side, but if there was a chance he could be able to move the veteran, he would.

Nelson Cruz was a cheap signing last winter, but it never worked out and in early July, he was DFA’d by Preller. Looking to add a right-handed bat, the perfect bat would be J.D. Martinez, who is coming off a good year with the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

Martinez found his power in Los Angeles by slashing .271/.321./.572 with 33 home runs and he drove in 103. Those numbers were up from his last three seasons with the Boston Red Sox, who made the curious decision to not re-sign him following 2022.

He would not require a huge contract to sign, but it’s clear that at this point in his career, he’s looking to play for a winner. If Soto is indeed moved, Martinez is a no-brainer in terms of replacing his bat and giving the Friars more power from the right side of the plate.