San Diego Padres: 6 offseason acquisitions and how they have paid off

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The San Diego Padres are treading water with a record of 18-15 at the start of the 2023 season. It is too early to raise a red flag on the results. But the Friar Faithful are frustrated going 6-8 against three National League playoff-contending teams (Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers and New York Mets). Considering, the Padres started 3-1 against the Braves on the season’s first road trip.

April ended with encouraging signs that restored the belief the team's current play could be sustainable throughout the summer. And like other contending teams, the Padres acquired talent in various ways. Several came to the organization via trades, like Joe Musgrove, Yu Darvish, Josh Hader and Juan Soto. Others came with pomp and circumstance associated with a big-money free agent contract, like Ha-Seong Kim and Manny Machado.

Padres general manager A.J. Preller has been successful using this playbook. It is early, but let’s see how this offseason's acquisitions have paid off:

San Diego Padres acquisition: Free agent SS Xander Bogaerts

Xander Bogaerts spent his entire major league career with the Boston Red Sox, but the organization decided to move on following his final season of team control. Whispers began speculating that his offensive production was waning. Granted, Bogaerts posted consistent numbers, but he had not driven in 100 runs since 2019. In his last season with the Red Sox, Bogaerts batted .307 with 15 HRs and 73 RBI. Both were career lows since 2017. The front office felt he was not worth the money being thrown around in free agency last winter.

San Diego's signing of Bogaerts as a free agent has been nothing short of spectacular. His slugging percentage (.479) and OPS (.856) are up and his fielding has been near flawless. Bogaerts defensive numbers (.982 fielding percentage and two errors in 110 chances) are near the top in the majors. He puts a glove on every ball hit in his direction, and Bogaerts arm strength is outstanding.

Offensively, his bat has made an impact at the top of the order. In 31 games, he is hitting .291 with six HRs and 13 RBIs. Bogaerts value to the Friars has more to do with providing big-game experience and leadership in the field and clubhouse.

San Diego Padres acquisition: Free agent DH Matt Carpenter

Another wise free agent signing was Matt Carpenter by the Padres. He is a valuable left-handed stick who can come off the bench to play first base or the corner outfield positions. Plus, Carpenter is a clutch playoff hitter with runners in scoring position. He has a career .218 BA with six HRs and 21 RBIs in 170 at-bats.

You would not consider him to be the face-of-the-franchise type player, but Carpenter is the man you want up with the game on the line. Time and time again, Carpenter has come through with clutch hits during his time with the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Yankees. His postseason experience (14 series appearances) will come in handy.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Seth Lugo / David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

San Diego Padres acquisition: Free agent starting pitcher Seth Lugo

It is no secret that the Friars lack starting pitching depth. In the offseason, Preller went out to rectify the problem. The Padres came to a contract agreement with Seth Lugo, who must answer questions on whether he is better suited to be a reliever than a starter. But the Friars are offering him an opportunity to prove himself in the rotation.

No question the signing has worked out for both sides thus far. Lugo is 3-2 with a 3.21 ERA in six starts. He has averaged just under six innings for each of his starts. Lugo has been outstanding with his velocity, as he has struck out 31 batters in 33.2 innings pitched. Still, Lugo is adjusting to going through an opposing team's batting order for a second time. But he has shown enough quality work to establish himself as a bona fide major league starting pitcher.

San Diego Padres acquisition: Free agent DH Nelson Cruz

The Padres have been pursuing Nelson Cruz since the 2021 season. Thus, it was no surprise when the two sides came together on a contract agreement. And the 42-year-old has regained his stroke by hitting .298 with three HRs and 16 RBIs in 21 games.

Cruz is a known power threat, having hit 462 career home runs. But he struggled by hitting a paltry .234 with the Washington Nationals last season. Thankfully, Cruz has rebounded to a hot start in 2023.

San Diego Padres relief pitcher Brent Honeywell / Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

San Diego Padres acquisition: Free agent relief pitcher Brent Honeywell

Brent Honeywell has been one of the Tampa Bay Rays top pitching prospects since being drafted in the second round of the 2014 MLB Amateur Draft. But his stock had fallen so far that the Rays sold him to the Oakland Athletics. The Padres saw something in his makeup and offered Honeywell an opportunity to compete for a major league roster spot in spring training.

Honeywell earned a role in the bullpen and continues to hold his own against major league hitters. He has a 2.60 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 17.1 innings pitched. The lone negative for Honeywell is allowing 20 base runners (13 hits and seven walks) in 12 appearances. But it looks like the Padres have a trusted link to the backend of their bullpen.

San Diego Padres acquisition: Free agent starting pitcher Michael Wacha

As mentioned earlier, the Padres were desperate to add starting pitching depth for the 2023 season. Right before the start of spring training, the front office added a reliable arm to the mix. The free agent signing of Michael Wacha brings an 11-year veteran starting pitcher to the rotation. He has a 76-51 career record with a 4.09 ERA, but recently, Wacha has not finished a season without spending a stint on the IL. But the Friars believe there is some life left in his arm.

And the season's first month has shown Wacha to be a valuable asset. Padres manager Bob Melvin has plugged him in the backend of the starting rotation, and Wacha has not disappointed. In workhorse fashion, Wacha has a 2-1 record with a 5.45 ERA. The results have been positive for the most part, as Wacha has averaged over five innings in six starts. The hope is for him to remain an innings-eater throughout the 2023 campaign.

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