3) The San Diego Padres wish they signed Chris Martin
The Padres made three offseason moves that affected the bullpen. First, they re-signed Robert Suarez on a five-year deal. Considering the fact that he hasn't thrown a pitch this season for the Padres, that contract has been a disaster so far.
Six days later, they re-signed Nick Martinez on a three-year deal. Martinez opened the season in the rotation, but since moving to the bullpen has become an integral piece. Martinez has become the primary set-up man pitching in front of Josh Hader, recording 11 holds in 36 appearances.
Brent Honeywell Jr. was an external addition and he's been very solid in the bullpen as well, often pitching the seventh innings in front of Martinez.
The Padres bullpen has been solid, posting a 3.82 ERA, which ranks 12th in the majors, but they do also have the sixth-most blown saves. Adding a lockdown reliever like Chris Martin, a guy who's allowed just five earned runs all season and blown one save, would've helped with that.
Martin is enjoying a career year with the Red Sox, posting a 1.57 ERA in 30 innings. He's been the primary set-up man for Kenley Jansen and has done just about as well as any set-up man in the game. Having a Martinez-Martin-Hader trio late in games would be electric.
The Padres bullpen isn't the main reason the team has struggled, but adding an elite arm on a cheap two-year deal would've been nice.