Meet the newest additions to the Padres
This browser does not support the video element.
This story was excerpted from AJ Cassavell’s Padres Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
If the Padres’ 2022 Trade Deadline was all about the big-name blockbuster deals, the '23 Deadline was more about filling in around the edges, turning obvious deficiencies into potential strengths. With a trio of trades on Tuesday, San Diego seemingly addressed every major area of concern.
“We feel like we shored up some holes and some needs,” said Padres general manager A.J. Preller. “We’re hoping that makes a difference going forward.”
Here's a quick look at the fit for each of the five new Padres:
LHP Rich Hill: Rotation depth
Hill's fit at the back of the rotation was already seamless, but his presence became even more vital when right-hander Joe Musgrove was scratched from his start on Wednesday in Colorado. The Majors' oldest player at 43, Hill gives the Padres the rotation depth they'd been searching for.
It seems likeliest that Hill's debut will come Sunday against the Dodgers when the Padres next have a vacancy in their rotation. Musgrove is expected back next week in Seattle, and Michael Wacha could follow shortly thereafter.
Even still, there'd be a spot for Hill. The Padres have 26 games in 27 days beginning Aug. 11, and if they have six healthy starters, there's a good chance they'd go to a six-man rotation for that stretch.
If they eventually need to have a conversation with Hill -- or potentially Seth Lugo -- about his role come mid-September because they have six healthy starters amid a playoff race? Well, that's best-case scenario.
This browser does not support the video element.
RHP Scott Barlow: Seventh-inning guy
Barlow saved 13 games with Kansas City this season, but the back end of the Padres’ bullpen is already solidified with Josh Hader closing and Robert Suarez serving as his primary setup man. Manager Bob Melvin hinted that Barlow would likely slot in alongside Steven Wilson and Nick Martinez as the team’s primary options for the sixth and seventh innings -- and occasionally the eighth.
“Any way I can help is what I told him,” said Barlow, who proceeded to pitch 1 2/3 scoreless relief innings on Wednesday, covering two outs in the sixth and the entire seventh. “Anywhere you need me, super happy to just help the team, any way possible.”
With Barlow’s arrival and Suarez’s return from injury, the back end of the Padres bullpen appears to have transformed from an overtaxed potential weakness to a strength.
1B/DH Ji Man Choi: Lefty platoon bat
The Padres got a first-hand look at what Choi can do to right-handed pitching last week when he launched a go-ahead homer off Lugo. Choi hasn’t played much this season as he dealt with a left Achilles injury early in the year. But since his return from injury in July, he’s posted a .930 OPS.
Most notably, Choi owns a career .810 OPS against right-handed pitching, which makes him a perfect DH against righties. Against lefties? Well, the Padres could use a pinch-hit bat, and Choi has some serious expertise there. He owns a 1.109 OPS lifetime as a pinch-hitter.
San Diego will likely face a right-hander on Friday night. Presuming Choi serves as DH, I’m curious to see what lineup Melvin draws up.
This browser does not support the video element.
1B/DH Garrett Cooper: Righty platoon bat
Think of the Choi/Cooper tandem like this: They’re the younger, more versatile version of what the Padres hoped they’d be getting from Nelson Cruz and Matt Carpenter this season.
Barring injuries, it’s hard to find a spot for Cooper in the starting lineup against right-handed pitching. That’s fine -- he’s still a hugely useful bench bat. Meanwhile, Cooper can either DH against left-handed pitching or he could play first base.
If Cooper’s at first, the Padres could sit the lefty-hitting Jake Cronenworth, while starting both catchers (with one at DH). Or, given Cronenworth’s versatility, they could give their other star infielders a DH day or two amid the Dog Days.
RHP Sean Reynolds: Upper-level bullpen depth
The 25-year-old right-hander slots into the Padres’ system as their No. 24 prospect according to MLB Pipeline. With three free-agents-to-be and Barlow under team control for next season, that makes Reynolds the Padres’ only long-term addition at the Deadline. They wouldn’t have given up Ryan Weathers without some belief that Reynolds could be a useful part of their bullpen in the future.
A 6-foot-8 flamethrower whose fastball touches 100 mph, Reynolds has posted a 2.77 ERA in 38 appearances at Triple-A this season. Count him as potentially big league-ready depth should the need arise.