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

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.