Manny Machado’s frustration enhanced this offseason as the Padres failed to make vital moves. After a 90-win 2024 season, expectations were high for roster upgrades. However, the team lost vital players like Ha-Seong Kim and Jurickson Profar without making meaningful additions. Despite hitting 29 home runs last season, Machado questioned the team’s ambition and direction.

In addition, competitors like the Dodgers enhanced their roster, signing Japanese ace Roki Sasaki and re-signing Blake Snell. With the division enhancing tougher, Machado’s review highlighted his concern that the Padres could fall behind in their pursuit of a championship.

“Are we disappointed we have not made any moves? Yeah. As a team you look up there and you are a little disappointed that we let some of the guys that were a part of our core group here go elsewhere,” he remarked to the media recently. It left reporter Marty Caswell to wonder: Is the team missing its scope to retool for a tough season? Even as he admitted, “We can not control those things,” Machado’s words hint at a deeper concern over lost talent and missed scopes. The quiet period after a strong 2024 campaign now casts doubt on the team’s readiness for the challenges ahead.

However, Machado‘s resolve remains intact. He added, “We got to look at the guys that we have in here who are disappointed,“ suggesting a raw honesty about the current state of the club. His confident declaration, “We’re going to go out there and we’re going to battle,” leaves us asking: Can the Padres rally with what they’ve got, or will the lack of bold moves haunt them in a hyper-competitive NL West? His questions resonate with fans, as they await the next chapter in this unfolding story.

The Padres positioning in the NL West

Manny Machado has been the anchor for the Padres‘ offense, especially in 2024, when he posted a .278 batting average, 163 hits and 105 RBIs, earning his second Silver Slugger award. His leadership has been consistent, but with the Dodgers strengthening their roster and the division getting more competitive, the Padres’ future hinges on more than just Machado. Despite his standout performances, he cannot carry the team alone, especially when the Padres are still dealing with glaring roster gaps, particularly in the outfield and bullpen.

With vital holes to fill, the Padres need to make strategic moves to stay competitive. A potential addition of power hitters like J.D. Martinez, who hit 32 home runs and drove in 106 RBIs in 2024, could help provide a much-needed spark. In addition, bolstering the starting rotation with someone like Sonny Gray, who posted a 3.05 ERA in 2024, could give the Padres the depth they need. The Padres’ window for contention is narrowing, and without these key additions, they risk being left behind in a division dominated by powerhouses like the Dodgers.

Manny Machado’s frustration with the Padres offseason is a clear warning. Despite a powerful 2024 season, the team’s inactivity could cost them. Can Machado continue to carry the load and will the Padres fall behind in the NL West? The ball is in management’s court, so what next Padres fans?