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

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.