5 key moves the Padres must consider at the 2024 MLB Winter Meetings ft. Catching upgrade

Over the past few seasons, San Diego Padres fans have witnessed their club go from a mid-range MLB team to a prime contender. While the Friars find themselves in a favorable position heading into 2025, that does not mean no work remains to be done.

As a team with one of the largest payrolls in MLB, San Diego is already tied up in many regards. Today, we will assess five moves that GM AJ Preller should consider at next week's winter meetings.

Five offseason moves for the San Diego Padres to consider

5. Re-sign Tanner Scott

On July 30, the Padres acquired Tanner Scott from the Miami Marlins. While his ERA climbed to 2.73 in San Diego after posting a 1.18 ERA in Miami, Scott pitched 4.1 shutout innings for San Diego in the postseason - showing his worth. Now a free agent, Preller should take note that one of the league's most successful relievers appeared right at home at Petco Park, and make a play to keep Scott around.

4. Extend Luis Arraez

Another player who came to the Padres from the Marlins in 2024, Luis Arraez hit .314 this year, enough to win the third batting title of his career. Although the Padres crowded infield made Arraez slot himself into first base, the Venezuelan's bat is more important to the lineup than his defensive play. Arbitration eligible in 2025 and a free agent in 2026, San Diego should use the time they have to ink Arraez to the first multi-year deal of his MLB career.

"WELCOME TO SAN DIEGO, LUIS ARRAEZ! #Walkoff" - MLB

3. Trade Tyler Wade

Although utility man Tyler Wade did well to milk 90 games out of his minor league contract with San Diego, it is becoming increasingly evident that the 30-year-old is the odd man out in his team's infield. Manager Mike Shildt slotted Wade into nearly every position in 2024. However, Wade hit a mere .217 without a homer in 2024. Although he has potential, Wade's departure would not affect the Padres positionally, thus paving the way for a trade for a middle-tier relief pitcher.

2. Pay Jackson Merrill

In 2021, the Padres signed Fernando Tatis Jr. to a franchise-record 14-year, $340 million contract. A big risk at the time, the gamble appears to have paid off. For 21-year-old Jackson Merrill, the circumstances look similar. After a heroic rookie season that saw him hit .292/.326/.500 with 24 home runs and 90 RBIs, it looks appropriate for San Diego to commit to him long-term.

"JACKSON MERRILL WALK-OFF HOMER AGAINST MASON MILLER MY GOODNESS" - Codify

While it might stretch the payroll, the Padres understand that their current core has the potential to win the World Series, and making Merrill an integral part of that effort will go a long way.

1. Upgrade Catching

Earlier this month, catcher Kyle Higashioka signed a two-year deal with the Texas Rangers, leaving Luis Campusano as the Padres' sole MLB catcher. As such, the need is evident for another backstop. Campusano, 26, hit .227/.281/.361 with 8 homers and 40 RBIs, amassing a -0.7 WAR in 91 games. These figures are not becoming of a World Series-level catcher.