“The Padres Are Toxic From Top Down?” That 2023 episode from the MLB podcast, Talkin’ Baseball, sparked heated discussions among fans. In the episode, Jimmy highlighted questionable front-office decisions and a culture of pushing players away. At that period, such concerns felt speculative. But, now, the cracks in the Padres’ foundation seem to turn things into reality.

The San Diego Padres, MLB’s oldest team, are yet to win a World Series title. Fans, after the Padres’ loss to the Dodgers in 2024, left the stadium with disappointment. However, it seems that the leadership is not totally attuned to the fans’ concerns. Their talks with Roki Sasaki ended with the Dodgers providing him a $6.5 million deal. Another shock came when Jurickson Profar agreed to a $42 million deal with the Atlanta Braves. Such setbacks highlight that the Padres are struggling to manage their appeal, continuing the internal drama!

Profar’s departure and the Padres’ instability

Jurickson Profar’s departure from the Padres signals larger issues in the organization. In 2024, Profar had a standout season. He earned a National League All-Star spot, hitting 24 home runs, driving in 85 RBIs, and stealing 10 bases. His .280/.380/.459 batting line placed him among the top 15 players in MLB, bringing him the Silver Slugger Award. Despite such impressive numbers, Profar left by saying “The Padres have some issues with management.”

His move to the Atlanta Braves is part of a troubling pattern. Other high-profile players, like Roki Sasaki, have also chosen to leave. These departures, along with the Padres’ recent struggles on and off the mound, suggest deeper issues within the organization.

Not just this season, but after 2023, multiple vital players did not return to the team. For instance, Seth Lugo, who had a solid year with a 3.57 ERA, refused to be in San Diego for a bigger payday. Despite his consistency, Lugo’s departure underscores the Padres’ need to shed salary. There is Rich Hill with an 8.23 ERA and a 1.72 WHIP in 10 appearances who also left the team. In addition, Josh Hader, the dominant closer in the game with a 1.28 ERA and 33 saves also left for a better deal. All these might highlight the Padres’ ineffective roster construction and its instability. Don’t you think?

The Seidler family’s legal fight and the Padres

The Padres’ internal issues have been exacerbated by a legal battle in the Seidler family. Sheel Seidler, widow of late owner Peter Seidler, filed a complaint in early 2023, accusing brothers Matthew and Robert Seidler of “irreconcilable issues of interest.” This dispute has affected ownership stability and player morale, leading to departures, like, Jurickson Profar seeking more stability. The Padres’ reputation has taken a hit, and future free-agent signings may be harder to secure. Despite claims of resolved tensions from general manager A.J. Preller and manager Bob Melvin, underperforming stars and player exits continue to test the team’s defense.

Despite everything, hope prevails for the Padres. The breakout power of reliever Jeremiah Estrada enhances their bullpen. Jeremiah Estrada set an MLB record for consecutive strikeouts on May 28, 2024. He struck out 13 batters in a row, marking the first time to accomplish this feat since the expansion era in 1961. In addition, the Padres’ farm system, bolstered by young talent, like Kash Mayfield, Boston Bateman, and Humberto Cruz, displays promise for the future. With a more stable clubhouse and players like Jackson Merrill entering their prime, the Padres might just get up to contend again in 2025 and beyond.

There is no denying the fact that the team has internal issues. However, this is not the first time a player has left a team in MLB for better salaries. The team has the budget to invest, but, what’s needed is a solid approach and strong management to win a World Championship.

What do you think should be the Padres’ next move? Let’s keep the discussion going.