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

Jakob Junis

Another bullpen arm linked to the Padres is Junis, who pitched well for the San Francisco Giants in relief last season. In 40 games, the right-hander went 4-3 with a 3.87 ERA with 96 strikeouts in 89 innings pitched. He had four spot starts for the Giants and made one against the Padres in August and struck out three in four hitless and scoreless innings.

He is not projected to be an expensive addition, which is big for an organization that could be cost-cutting for 2024. A two-year deal for $15 million is projected and that would be a good deal for Preller and the Friars.

One thing is clear this offseason in San Diego, the Padres need to catch up to the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks, who are coming off a very surprising World Series appearance. The Dodgers are the favorites to land Shohei Ohtani in free agency and steal him away from the Los Angeles Angels. If that happens, that puts them further ahead of the Friars.

Rumors are going to continue to swirl as the winter goes along, but any of these four players linked to the Padres would be good additions. This is a big offseason for San Diego as they look to quickly turn around and contend in 2024.