Padres Slash $5 Million from Payroll Amidst Repayment of $50 Million Loan, Part Ways with a Star Pitcher

Slowly and steadily the teams have begun executing their trades. While some decisions have been based on what will strengthen their teams, the San Diego Padres are driven by claimed financial issues. The team is in the midst of clearing a debt. With that, the news is out that the $5 Million star pitcher would not be a Padre anymore. 

While some may say that this was a strategic move for the team, the financial implication is clear. Reports say that the San Diego Padres borrowed about $50 million in September to help with pressing costs. Primarily player payroll. With that, their moves directly hint at cost-cutting. What more could come up next following this trade with the Cleveland Guardians? 

The San Diego Padres’ Trade With The Cleveland Guardians

It is confirmed that RHP Scott Barlow of the San Diego Padres has been officially traded to the Cleveland Guardians. Multiple sources including @ByRobertMurray have tweeted about this. The tweet said, “The Guardians are acquiring Scott Barlow from the Padres.” Just before the non-tender deadline, the two parties reached an agreement in which RHP Enyel De Los Santos is to join the Padres. With that, one can only question, how far will this payroll slashing go? 

After playing for the Kansas City Royals for the majority of his big league career, the 30-year-old is back in the American League Central. This was the Guardians’ 2nd trade as they swapped their reliever with San Diego. Also, ahead of the 8 p.m. deadline for 2024 contracts, on Friday, they made a one-year agreement with outfielder Ramón Laureano. Now, switching gears to the Padres, could Enyel De Los Santos prospectively change the course for them?

During his two years in Cleveland, the 27-year-old compiled a stellar 3.18 ERA over 119 innings pitched. He had 123 strikeouts. The Padres could use the right-hander to their advantage given that he made 70 relief appearances in 2023. Maybe he will be the busy bee in San Diego’s bullpen in 2024. That said, there are more foreseeable actions coming, keeping their loan in perspective.

San Diego Padres’ Plans To Cut Costs

It is no secret that the Padres intend to reduce payroll to around $200 million for the upcoming season. In part because they wish to restore their debt service ratio compliance with MLB rules. Do note that in 2023, San Diego attracted 3.27 million spectators. A franchise high, following 2004, the inaugural year of Petco Park. That time, they attracted three million spectators. Nevertheless, this year the team missed out on the playoffs, which would have significantly increased the revenue line in the books.

Read More : With Padres Slashing $83 Million From Payroll, Yankees’ Path to Pursuing Juan Soto Seems Clear, but Will an Injury Scare Interrupt the Journey?

Per Cot’s Baseball Contracts, the Padres already have $217.8 million committed for 2024, including projections for arbitration. That excludes signing or even replacing Josh Hader and Blake Snell. The same applies to other potential free agents as well. Another plan that would work out well for their cost cutting would be to trade Juan Soto in exchange for lesser expensive, talented youths.

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