What the San Diego Padres are shopping for this Black Friday

It's the week of Thanksgiving, which means it's also the week of Black Friday shoppers, and deals. Here's what the Padres are shopping for this Black Friday, and if they can get the deals they are looking for.

What the San Diego Padres should be shopping for this Black Friday

Starting pitching

The Padres are definitely shopping for starting pitching, and while they might go after one big fish, such a return for Michael King or a star free agent like Ranger Suarez, the Padres need more than one starter. It's quite possible the team will be shopping for deals on mid-tier starters this winter, as they try to determine who will fill out the rotation in 2026.

A first baseman

With Luis Arraez now a free agent, the Padres need a new first baseman. Hopefully, someone with more power and better defense. Arraez was good, but he had no slug and was awful in the field. The Padres would love to find a first baseman who solves those problems. However, it probably won't be Pete Alonso joining the squad. Once again, the Padres are going to have to identify someone a little bit cheaper to fill this need. Perhaps Carlos Santana?

Another catcher

The Padres desperately need another catcher to join Freddy Fermin and Luis Campusano behind the plate. Fermin is a career backup, and Campusano has done nothing to earn a roster spot at this point in his career.

One bargain-bin option for the Padres could be Gary Sanchez, who is likely going to be cheap to sign and has had success in San Diego before. If the Padres are interested in Sanchez, it feels like he would be a good fit.

Shopping for depth...everywhere

The biggest thing the Padres need is depth. Their injuries took a toll on them last year and exposed their lack of depth. Veterans like Martin Maldonado, Jose Iglesias, Tyler Wade, and Jason Heyward were forced to play far too often last year, and it hindered the Padres' offense, especially in the middle of the season before reinforcements arrived at the trade deadline.

The Padres need utility players who can provide real value from the bench. A guy like Dylan Moore, who served that exact role for the Mariners since 2019 before his release last summer, would be a cheap but reliable option off the bench.

Let's hope the Padres have a successful offseason, and maybe find a few Black Friday bargains this week.