3 San Diego Padres who must step up in 2024 if Juan Soto is traded

The biggest week in the recent history of the San Diego Padres is taking place at baseball’s Winter Meetings in Nashville, Tennessee. The fate of the organization's top star (Juan Soto) could be decided before the conclusion of the meetings.

There is a sense of urgency as the San Diego Padres seem to be stuck in neutral with their offseason plans. Everything seems to have been put on hold until the resolution of the Soto situation occurs. Moving on from him is the type of heavy lifting that allows the Padres to make other player moves and remain a postseason contender.

No one can deny that the Friars can contend without the star outfielder. Why? Well, the Padres have a talented roster, as the team is led by four stars (Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove, Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr.) who can pick up the slack left from the loss of Soto in the lineup. However, the road would be less bumpy if other players exceeded expectations.

If a Juan Soto trade happens, the San Diego Padres lineup has players who must step up in 2024.

Let’s take a closer look at three players...

Xander Bogaerts

The Friars may regret signing Xander Bogaerts to a 11-year, $280 million contract. Critics believe the money could have been better served to keep Soto in San Diego long-term. But that is a story for another day.

It is too easy to overreact to a star player's poor season with the bat, but Bogaerts needs to get back on track driving in runs more consistently. If so, the Padres offense could be revitalized in 2024.

The inconsistency with scoring contributed to the Friars' disappointing 2023 season. The lineup was expected to lead the majors in runs scored. Instead, the offense languished in the middle of the pack all season in the category (4.64 runs per game). The bats struggled driving in runners in scoring positions as the Padres had a .241 team batting average in this category (23rd in the majors). The Padres late-season surge (14-2 in the final 16 games) skewed the offensive numbers for the season.

Individually, Bogaerts ranked near the bottom with a .191 batting average in 141 at-bats with runners in scoring position. Results of this nature were the cause of why it took so long for the Friars to get over the .500 mark.

And another slow start by Bogaerts will raise everyone’s concerns. It will not matter if his launch angle is on the rise. The Friar Faithful wants Bogaerts to become a primary run-producer in Soto’s absence. It could happen if he returns to hitting line drives by squaring on each pitch.

Matt Carpenter

Matt Carpenter’s arrival in San Diego was supposed to balance the Friars lineup with another proven run-producer. Instead, the big expectations drifted away as he hit .176 in 76 games. Carpenter failed to provide the much-needed power out of the DH position (5 home runs in 188 at-bats). Since 2020, it was the third season he recorded a batting average under .200.

The DH position needs an upgrade, as it was a weak link in the Padres lineup. Collectively, the Friars DHs ranked 28th in the majors for team DH batting average (.193). It would be easy for the Padres to go in a different direction, whether a stopgap option or a long-term solution via trade or free agent market.

The pending departure of Soto places a need for a proven left-handed stick in the lineup. Carpenter’s stock has fallen, but he will have an opportunity to reverse last season’s struggles. The Friar Faithful hopes he regains his stroke and gives the Padres a chance to win games.

The Padres front office is committed to fielding a competitive roster in 2024. However, it is unknown if Carpenter will be the team’s left-handed hitting option in a platoon at the DH position. But an uncertain offseason leaves the door open for an opportunity. To remain on the roster in 2024, he will need to hit much better in spring training.