3 San Diego Padres moves that worked out better than expected in 2023

Moving Seth Lugo to the starting rotation worked out better than expected in 2023

Despite adding Wacha in free agency, the Padres decided to sign Seth Lugo from the bullpen to the starting rotation and it certainly worked out better than expected and sounded entering the season.

A longtime reliever with the New York Mets, Lugo made the move to the starting rotation and made a seamless transition. He was only 8-7 with a 3.57 ERA in 146.1 innings and 140 strikeouts, but he was a reliable arm for Melvin and like Snell, his numbers would have been better with more run support, something that was an issue at times this season.

He finished the season strong, going 3-1 in September in 31 innings and saved his best start for his last one, coming one out from a complete game and allowing just three hits to the Giants. The 34-year-old has a player option for 2024 and it will be interesting to see what happens as he is worth bringing back.

You can make the case that there were some moves made that did not work out. Matt Carpenter and Nelson Cruz would be at the top of that list for Preller, but things coud have been worse, believe it or not, for the Padres in 2023 without these three moves. Now we'll see what the front office has in store for 2024 over the next four months.