The Padres’ offseason has been surprisingly quiet, raising concerns among fans and players alike. Manny Machado, a cornerstone of the team, has reportedly voiced frustration over the team’s approach. With Joe Musgrove out for most of 2025 and vital departures, like, Juan Soto and Blake Snell, San Diego appears to be losing ground.

However, insider reports highlight a late transformation in approach. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi hinted that general manager A.J. Preller could make drastic moves before Opening Day. Could this be a direct reaction to internal force? More importantly, will it be enough to keep the Padres competitive?

Addressing Manny Machado’s concerns

Manny Machado did not hold back when discussing the Padres’ lackluster offseason. His frustration was clear. “Are we disappointed we have not made any moves? Yeah,” Machado admitted. “As a team, you look up there and you are a little disappointed that we enable some of the guys that were a part of our core group go elsewhere“. Machado’s words highlight a concern in the clubhouse, which, the front office can not ignore. If the Padres want to remain competitive, they need to prove they are ready to reinforce the roster.

Jon Morosi weighed in stating, “It is now just as likely that the Padres will move some of their younger prospects to bring back some reliable innings“. This highlights that the front office is actively looking to improve the roster before Opening Day. Their biggest concern remains pitching depth, especially with Joe Musgrove sidelined after Tommy John surgery. The current rotation lacks stability beyond Yu Darvish and Michael King, who was currently signed to a one-year, $7.75 million deal. Morosi said that the Padres could “move Dylan Cease in a package which brings back some younger starting pitching“. In addition, the team has been linked to trade discussions. However, highly touted catcher Ethan Salas and infielder Leodalis De Vries are reportedly off-limits. If the Padres truly want to silence Machado’s criticism, management must act fast. Currently, their inactivity is speaking louder than anything else.

A-Team falling behind?

The financial issues are proven, however, if Manny Machado’s frustration is serious, the Padres cannot afford to stand still. Its current odds of winning the NL West, 6/1, place them far behind the Dodgers, -650. It highlights that their offseason inactivity has already affected their place. A vital aspect behind such stagnation is payroll constraints. The team’s aggressive investment in past years has restricted their flexibility. Massive contracts like Xander Bogaerts’ 11-year, $280 million deal and Manny Machado’s 11-year, $350 million deal have significantly impacted their payroll flexibility. This past offseason, the team also offloaded Juan Soto in a blockbuster trade to the Yankees. This move was motivated by financial relief. Payroll issues guided the Padres to bypass vital free agents, while its largest additions, Elias Díaz, Ron Marinaccio, and Juan Núñez, hardly move the needle.

Compared to other teams in the NL West, the Padres situation looks very concerning. The Dodgers, fresh off signing Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto have enhanced an already dominant roster. The Arizona Diamondbacks, coming off a World Series appearance, signed Eduardo Rodríguez to solidify their rotation. In addition, the Giants, despite missing out on top-tier free agents, added Jorge Soler to enhance their lineup. However, the Padres have remained stagnant, failing to manage vital weaknesses.

Manny Machado’s frustration is valid, as San Diego’s lack of movement has left the team vulnerable in a division that continues to enhance. If they do not act soon, they risk falling even further behind and by then, it could be too late to catch up. Share your thoughts on this.