The Los Angeles Dodgers spent over $1 billion last offseason to bring in mega talent. They added players like Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Teoscar Hernandez. Now, the squad is not only stacked but has sent a strong message to the rest of the league. Fast forward to 2024, and the Dodgers’ aggressive approach paid off big time when they captured the World Series title. 

But are they stopping? No. The team just signed Blake Snell to a massive five-year, $182 million deal—for Padres fans, this news will hurt. San Diego has been pushing hard to compete for that grand World Series title. But with the Dodgers continuing to flex their money and loading up on talent, the pressure on the Padres (and the rest of the division) just reached a whole new level. 

Padres manager Mike Shildt would do the same as the Dodgers 

In a recent appearance on the “Foul Territory” show, Padres manager Mike Shildt addressed the Dodgers’ relentless spending and roster-building strategy. Shildt was asked about the Dodgers’ approach of using deferred salary techniques to manage their payroll. “Yeah, it’s fair by the rules that we play within,” Shildt said, adding, “They’ve got a lot of advantages over there, and they understand and I believe we all would do it, take advantage of those advantages. It’s a well-run organization. Can’t fault them.” But here’s the key part: Shildt isn’t getting down by how the Dodgers operate or their financial muscle. 

He made it clear that his energy is all about figuring out how the Padres can continue to improve and, ultimately, take down their division rivals. “I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about them. I spend way more time figuring out how we’re going to continue to take care of them and beat them,” Shildt noted. Instead of worrying about the Dodgers’ deep pockets, he’s locked in on his own team’s growth and the ultimate goal: winning the division and securing that World Series title. The Padres have pushed the Dodgers to the brink before; now, it’s about taking that next step, both on and offseason. 

Other priorities the Padres need to take care of this offseason  

The Padres’ top priority this winter should be signing 23-year-old Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki. Sasaki has been dominating in Japan with a slider that’s tough for any hitter to handle. With ace potential written all over him, he’s one of the most coveted international pitchers available. What makes this even more appealing for teams like the Padres is the financial aspect: the international bonus pools are capped, and Sasaki would be coming over on a rookie salary; so, signing him could be a relatively low-risk but high-reward move. 

While Roki Sasaki might be at the top of the Padres’ wish list, he isn’t their immediate priority. Sasaki won’t be posted until sometime in the near future. In the meantime, though, the Padres have a lot to do. With the Winter Meetings just around the corner, starting next week in Dallas, the front office and Mike Shildt have plenty on their plate. One of the Padres’ most pressing needs this offseason is adding depth to their rotation, especially with Joe Musgrove expected to miss the entire 2025 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. 

But the second-biggest need? A corner-outfield bat, and there’s a familiar face who could help fill that role: Jurickson Profar. Next up, there’s the shortstop problem – A.J. Preller has made it clear this winter that he wants to resolve the situation earlier than he did last offseason, when the Padres were still considering trade options involving Ha-Seong Kim as late as mid-February. This year, Preller aims to have the shortstop role settled well before camp opens, which will allow them to focus on other roster needs as they prepare for 2025.