The San Diego Padres faced a heartbreaking end to their postseason, losing to their arch-rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers, in a heated five-game NLDS. As they head into the offseason, the Padres know that significant changes are needed if they want to overcome the Dodgers and contend for a World Series title in 2025.
San Diego has never shied away from aggressive moves at the trade deadline, but this offseason will require more than just minor adjustments. The Padres must make bold, strategic moves to bridge the gap with the Dodgers and establish themselves as legitimate championship contenders.
If they can pull off a few key acquisitions, the Padres could position themselves for a run of sustained success and potentially build a dynasty over the next decade. These dream moves will be crucial for San Diego’s hopes of finally getting over the hump and securing a World Series victory.
3 dream offseason moves the Padres can make to surpass Dodgers and win 2025 World Series
3. Re-signing Tanner Scott should be a top priority for San Diego
The Padres took a big swing at the trade deadline by acquiring left-handed closer Tanner Scott from the Miami Marlins, giving up multiple top prospects in the process. Scott was one of the most coveted players at the deadline, leading to a steep asking price despite his expiring contract. While the move paid off in terms of Scott’s strong performance for San Diego, it ultimately fell short of delivering a division title or World Series.
With Scott now entering free agency, bringing him back for 2025 is a top priority for the Padres. While he may command a higher salary, his reliability in high-leverage situations would make him a valuable asset in the seventh, eighth, or ninth innings over the next three to four seasons. Re-signing Scott would validate the trade deadline investment and give the Padres a cornerstone in the bullpen to help them compete with top teams in the NL.
Failing to retain Scott would make the original trade look like a significant overpay, but extending him could provide the Padres with an opportunity to extract more long-term value from the deal. Securing his return would be a crucial move for solidifying the bullpen and maintaining the team’s competitive edge moving forward.
2. Extending Dylan Cease and/or Michael King should be a top priority this Winter
Adding players will be crucial for the Padres’ offseason plans, but securing long-term stability in the starting rotation is just as important for the team’s future success. The Padres have an opportunity to lock down key pitchers Dylan Cease and Michael King, who are both entering the final year of arbitration. By buying out their last year of arbitration and signing them to long-term contracts, the Padres could secure two quality arms for the next five to seven years.
While committing to long-term deals for pitchers is inherently risky—especially with the current prevalence of arm injuries—such moves could prove worthwhile. At the moment, the Padres are not obligated to pay Cease or King beyond 2025, which would provide some financial flexibility if either player were to suffer a major injury. Signing them to longer contracts, however, would change that dynamic, increasing the risk but also potentially solidifying the rotation for years to come.
Locking down Cease and King would help ensure that the Padres have at least two reliable starters in their rotation, a necessity for contending in the competitive NL West. With elite pitching being a critical component to overcoming rivals like the Dodgers, adding stability to the rotation would give San Diego a solid foundation while allowing for some financial flexibility to address other needs in future offseasons.
1. Winning the Juan Soto sweepstakes would be a dream come true for the Padres
Admittedly, this is a long shot, but if we’re talking dream moves for the Padres, then bringing back superstar Juan Soto would top the list. Soto, a former Padre, was traded to the New York Yankees, but as he hits free agency, he’s expected to go to the highest bidder. Most predictions peg a showdown between the Yankees and Mets, the two heavy-spending New York rivals, as the frontrunners for Soto’s services.
However, the Padres could throw a curveball by crafting a unique, long-term contract to lure Soto back to San Diego. A deal spanning 15 years with deferred money—similar to what Shohei Ohtani received—could make it financially manageable for the Padres. This type of contract would allow the team to spread out the cost over a longer period, potentially making it competitive with the offers from the big-market clubs.
Signing Soto would be a massive boost for the Padres, instantly making their lineup one of the most formidable in baseball. Plugging him into a lineup that already features stars like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado would give San Diego a potent offense capable of rivaling any in the league. If the Padres are aiming to dominate the NL West and contend for multiple championships over the next decade, pulling off a deal to bring Soto back would be the ultimate power move.
While it’s unlikely, an aggressive approach could place the Padres back in the conversation and potentially reshape the future of the franchise.
Leave a Reply