San Diego Padres newcomers: 1 player to keep, 1 to send far away and 1 to debate

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As the 2023 MLB trade deadline crept closer, one of the biggest mysteries was what San Diego Padres GM A.J. Preller going to do with this team being one of the biggest disappointments this season. Was he going to buy, sell, or just stand pat?

He chose to buy and he brought in some veterans mostly on expiring contracts. They are mostly depth pieces for manager Bob Melvin and not really moving the needle.

This offseason is going to be one of the more interesting ones for Preller and the Padres. After an underachieving season, what additions and subtractions are there to the roster? Will Juan Soto be part of the roster in training camp in February? What free agents will San Diego retain and which ones (Blake Snell and Josh Hader) will leave?

San Diego Padres have decisions to make on newcomers as to which ones stay and which ones they let walk.

Believe it or not, there are some newer additions that the Padres need to make decisions on in regard to the 2024 roster. Here is one newcomer they should keep, one who they send far away and one to debate.

San Francisco Giants v San Diego Padres / Sean M. Haffey/GettyImages

San Diego Padres should keep Garrett Cooper

Acquired from the Miami Marlins, Cooper is a player that produced in South Florida, but because the Marlins were not contending, he flew under the radar a little bit.

His numbers are not going to blow you away, but he’s a contact hitter who is a perfect fit for the bottom of the lineup. He is also depth at first base and, depending on roster change this offseason, he could see his fair share of time there next season.

Combined between Miami and San Diego this season, he has 15 home runs and 56 RBI, while slashing .259/.303/.427. With the Padres, he’s slashing .271/.333/.429 with two home runs and 10 RBI. In his short stints at first base, he has been good defensively.

Where would he fit on the roster next season? It may not take a lot of money to re-sign him, but he could take on a majority of the right-handed DH roles that Nelson Cruz struggled with this season. Certainly, it's a road that Preller needs to explore.

Philadelphia Phillies v San Diego Padres / Denis Poroy/GettyImages

San Diego Padres should send Rich Hill far away

Okay, so honestly, why is he even here? Seriously, the Pittsburgh Pirates couldn’t wait to get rid of him and you can hardly blame them. At 43 years old, his best days are behind him and retirement is close, players like him always think they have something to bring to the team, but he brings nothing to what the Friars need.

Preller needs to make Snell a priority this season and it appears the lefty wants to stay in San Diego. With Snell being a front-of-the-rotation guy and if they are able to retain him, they would go into the season with a top part of the rotation that can compete in the National League West. Even if Hill is a potential depth piece, there are going to be other options like Jordan Montgomery as an end-of-the-rotation starter.

His 0-4 record with the Padres along with his 10.71 ERA in just 19.1 innings is enough to part ways with him for next season.

Los Angeles Dodgers v San Diego Padres / Denis Poroy/GettyImages

San Diego Padres should debate keeping Ji Man Choi

Acquired with Hill from the Pirates, Ji Man Choi has not fared well so far in Southern California, but there is hope when he's healthy.

Choi was injured last month. However, he brings an interesting scenario to the table for next season. A left-handed bat, aside from his health, he’s already an upgrade from that side of the plate over Matt Carpenter. Who would you rather have getting DH at-bats from the left side of the plate next season, Choi or Carpenter? Seems like a no-brainer.

Yes, he’s just a .236 career hitter, but he hits for power, can play first base in a pinch, and is a pinch-hitting option off the bench. It hasn’t looked good so far, but this time with Friars has been spent mostly injured, which yes, has been an issue throughout his career, but as he showed with the Tampa Bay Rays, when he’s going, he can hit for power.

He certainly would not require the same amount of money the Carpenter is scheduled to earn ($6 million) and it would require moving the veteran this offseason, but Choi seems like the play to debate if you are Preller and the front office.

Of course, all three of these players could be gone next season, but Cooper is certainly someone worth keeping and Choi is a debate to have. Hill? Well, he can go as far away as possible.

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