San Diego Padres morning after: Roster moves continue to reshape Padres outlook

The San Diego Padres continued to transform on the roster on Friday, including accomplishing one of their reported goals before the day's roster deadline ended.

San Diego Padres make a trade and open up roster space

One of the big boxes checked by A.J, Preller ahead of Friday's non-roster deadline was finding a new home for relief pitcher Scott Barlow, sending him to the Cleveland Guardians. One of San Diego's trade deadline acquisitions last season, the 30-year-old right-hander is projected to make $7.1 million this season in his final year of arbitration.

Not only did the move save the Padres money, but also brought them reliever Enyel De Los Santos, a 27-year-old right-hander who is under team control through the 2026 campaign and projected to make $1.2 million in 2024. Last season, De Los Santos posted a 3.29 ERA/3.48 FIP/1.142 WHIP in 65.2 innings over 70 games, striking out 62 and walking 25 during that span.

According to MLBTradeRumors.com, "De Los Santos worked in mostly low-leverage situations but had pitched his way into the middle innings during his second season in Terry Francona’s bullpen."

So, with the trade, San Diego saved money and acquired a reliever with additional years of team control, earning solid grades for the Padres in terms of trade value in the deal.

Additionally, the Padres non-tendered four players on Friday, including catcher Austin Nola.

None of the four names on the list were a complete surprise, including Nola, who posted a .234/.314/.320 slash line in 819 plate appearances since coming over to San Diego in a swap with the Seattle Mariners.

The move opens up the path for Luis Campusano to play a major role for the Padres behind the plate in 2024 (if there is no reunion with Gary Sanchez this offseason). The 25-year-old continued to improve down the stretch last season, slashing .359/.388/.500 in 64 September at-bats.

San Diego currently has 31 players on their 40-man roster, signaling more moves and additions are certainly coming.