MLB Rumors: 4 under-the-radar free agents linked to the San Diego Padres

There is no doubt that when the San Diego Padres are in Arizona for spring training in February, it is going to be a different-looking roster. Some contributors from the frustrating 2023 season will be gone and there will be new additions. Just how much of a roster turnover there is remains to be seen.

Is Juan Soto going to be in Arizona for the Friars? Who will be the additions to the starting rotation with the possibility of Blake Snell and Michael Wacha gone and closer Josh Hader also leaving Southern California? 

There are going to be some additions and here are some rumored players that have been linked to San Diego early this offseason by MLB Trade Rumors.

Jung Hoo Lee

Things didn’t go too well for GM A.J. Preller last offseason in terms of adding some bats to the lineup. Free agents Matt Carpenter and Nelson Cruz didn’t work out well and by early July, the Padres DFA’d Cruz.

Hoo Lee is a promising left-handed bat and outfielder from the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) where he slashed .349/.421/.575 with 23 home runs in 2022, before taking a step back this past season as he dealt with injuries. 

His primary position is centerfield and the Padres return Trent Grisham next season with Fernando Tatis, Jr. in right and Juan Soto (assuming he’s not traded) in left, the outfield could be considered set. A left-handed bat, however, at the DH spot is needed and Hoo Lee cloud fill that void and then be used from time to time in the outfield.