San Diego Padres offseason primer: Free agents, payroll, offseason needs

San Diego Padres free agents

Matt Carpenter (player option for $5.5 million)

Ji-Man Choi

Garrett Cooper

Brandon Dixon

Luis Garcia

Josh Hader

Rich Hill

Seth Lugo (player option for $7.5 million)

Nick Martinez (club option for $16 million)

Drew Pomeranz

Jurickson Profar

Gary Sanchez

Blake Snell

Craig Stammen

Michael Wacha (club option for $16 million)

In all, there are 15 names on this list, including four with options. Perhaps the most interesting option could lie with Carpenter, who could cash in his $5.5 million option and see what the Padres do. One would think San Diego wouldn't keep Carpenter for 2024 after such an abysmal 2023, but it will be something that A.J. Preller will have on his list of decisions.

Again, if San Diego is looking to slice payroll, here are some of the names that will not be back next season.

San Diego Padres players eligible for arbitration

Scott Barlow

Trent Grisham

Tim Hill

Adrian Morejon

Austin Nola

Juan Soto

Soto, of course, is the big name on this list, but Padres fans will also be watching what happens with the much-maligned Austin Nola. Will he be a part of their catching plans in 2024? A lot could ride on the potential return of Gary Sanchez as well as a timeline for Ethan Salas to make his MLB debut (which still isn't expected for a year or two).