Padres Offseason Shakeup: Fans Reveal Surprising Shift in Opinion—What Changed?

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Recently, we asked Padres fans to size up the offseason that’s unfolded so far. The verdict? A whopping 59% believe it’s fallen short of expectations — yikes. Meanwhile, 36% felt it was pretty much on track, and a modest 5% gave it a thumbs-up for exceeding hopes. It’s fair to say the mood isn’t exactly celebratory down in San Diego.

Between the initial poll and now, the Padres have quietly shuffled a handful of players onto the roster — nothing that grabbed headlines, mind you. A.J. Preller, the man with the reins on baseball operations, has leaned on short-term deals and minor league invites, opting for potential gems rather than splashy signings. Some criticize this as scavenging for scraps; others see it as savvy talent hunting paired with Ruben Niebla’s pitching coaching magic, which might just turn some overlooked guys into breakout stars. For many fans, the jury’s still out — patience seems to be the name of the game.

Offensively, the signings tell a similar tale. Miguel Andujar came with decent reviews tempered by doubts about his defensive fit. Nick Castellanos — snagged on a major league minimum after Philly let him go — hasn’t exactly won hearts, with whispers about clubhouse vibe and a statistical dip dampening enthusiasm. And Ty France’s minor league deal showcases defensive strengths but leaves questions lingering about his bat’s vibration.

The offseason’s crown jewel, if you will, wasn’t a player but a contract extension: Preller locked in through 2026. Fans and players alike have hashed out pros and cons, but the players’ backing of their GM speaks volumes about his influence in San Diego.

All that’s left for us is to ask — has your opinion shifted with these moves? This week’s Padres Reacts Survey wants to know where you stand now. Stay tuned for the results coming later this week — it’s shaping up to be a fascinating snapshot of Friar sentiment.

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San Diego Padres fans were asked how they would rate the San Diego offseason on a Padres Reacts Survey on Jan. 13. The majority of respondents – 59 percent – said the offseason for the Padres was worse than expected, followed by about as expected – 36 percent – and better than expected – five percent.

Since that poll from Gaslamp Ball, San Diego has made several additions to the roster, but none of the additions were headline deals. Instead, Padres president of baseball operations and general manager A.J. Preller has been adding to the roster with one-year major league deals and multiple minor league deals with invites to Spring Training.

Pessimists will say Preller is dumpster diving and hoping to find someone salvageable, especially among the pitchers. Optimists will say Preller has an eye for talent and the combination of ability with the tutelage of pitching coach Ruben Niebla is bound to deliver at least one success story from the group. For the Friar Faithful who find themselves between the two groups, the wait and see approach allows them to bide their time before passing judgement.

The position player additions have been perceived in largely the same manner. Miguel Andujar was largely thought to be a good signing, but there are questions about his role on defense. The big-name addition, Nick Castellanos who was signed for the major league minimum after being released by the Philadelphia Phillies, has had a lukewarm reception due to clubhouse concerns and declining numbers. Ty France, who was recently signed to a minor league deal, is known for his defense, but has not had much success at the plate.

Perhaps the biggest move of the offseason came Monday when the Padres announced a multi-year extension for Preller to remain with the team following the 2026 season. Like the players, this move will be and has been discussed positively and negatively among the fans, but it would seem based on their comments the players are in full support of Preller and what he has accomplished to this point in San Diego.

With all that said, this week’s Padres Reacts Survey wants to know if your opinion of the offseason has changed with the various moves that have taken place since the previous poll. Results will be revealed later this week.