3 Los Angeles Dodgers free agents who could play for the San Diego Padres in 2024

Just because the San Diego Padres may have to cut payroll heading into 2024 doesn't mean they won't be players in free agency.

In fact, there are more than a handful of affordable options available to the Friars this winter as they seek necessary reinforcements. And where better to look for said reinforcements than Los Angeles, where the division rival Dodgers have some useful players that are likely on the outs.

Here are three Los Angeles Dodgers free agents the San Diego Padres could poach this offseason.

1) The San Diego Padres could sign relief pitcher Joe Kelly

Perhaps not as universally famous as the Crying Jordan face, baseball fans won't soon forget Joe Kelly's pouty expression aimed at the Astros as he walked off the mound in Houston back in 2020.

That's the kind of swagger a team like the Padres, which already fancies itself as "Slam Diego," could use next season.

Kelly, 35, is on the older side, but was still productive in relief this past season. Over 39.1 innings pitched, he whiffed 60 batters while posting a 4.12 ERA. Don't focus on the latter too much, though, because his FIP was 2.72, suggesting some bad luck on his part. A mid-season trade from the White Sox to the Dodgers improved Kelly's performance, and positive regression is likely due in 2024. These factors should attract GM A.J. Preller's attention.

Furthermore, the 35-year-old reliever should come at a reasonable price given his age. A one or two-year deal may suffice, while giving the San Diego Padres some solid back-end relief to fill the void soon to be left behind by Josh Hader.

2) The San Diego Padres could sign J.D. Martinez as their designated hitter

Just when everyone thought J.D. Martinez was on his last legs with the Boston Red Sox in 2022, the Dodgers swooped in and bought low on the right-handed slugger for 2023. And that investment paid dividends (as usual).

After cracking 16 home runs in 2022, Martinez doubled that output with 33 long balls in 2023. He also raised his OPS over 100 points from .790 to .893. It's safe to say that's the kind of production the San Diego Padres wished they were getting from their designated hitters (DH) this season.

At 36, Martinez is probably past the point in his career where he'd command a long-term contract. That would bode well for the Friars, who similarly aren't in the best position to be offering such commitments.

It almost feels like this pairing makes too much sense, given Martinez' circumstances and the Padres' desperate need for consistency at the DH position. Nonetheless, A.J. Preller should work to make this slam dunk happen.