It’s hard to say where the San Diego Padres stand heading into the 2025 season, and it’s largely due to their inactivity in free agency.
Amid an ownership dispute and uncertain television revenue, the Padres don’t look to be in a position to spend big this winter. In fact, they might have to trade a star player or two away to cut costs. Meanwhile, their depth chart is surprisingly thin.
It’s a far cry from the Padres’ all-in approach to last season’s trade deadline, when they snapped up two of the top relievers on the market: Tanner Scott and Jason Adam. Adam has another year in San Diego, but Scott could be gone.
The top reliever available this winter, Scott is looking to get paid handsomely. He put up a 1.75 ERA with 22 saves a season ago, piling up 84 strikeouts in the process.
Foul Territory’s A.J. Pierzynski predicted earlier this week that Scott would land with the New York Mets, who haven’t been shy at all about spending their money this winter, as evidenced by the $765 million Juan Soto contract.
“I’ve got Tanner Scott going to the Mets,” Pierzynski said. “I just think the Mets make sense; they need a proven lefty down there and (Steve) Cohen has shown no inkling to stop spending, so why not?”
Scott could pair with Mets closer Edwin Díaz to form one of the game’s most formidable righty-lefty bullpen pairings. The Padres, who might have to go through the Mets in the postseason, likely would love to avoid that possibility.
But with Scott seeking at least $20 million annually, there’s also likely not much the Padres can do about it if the Mets match his preferred price.
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