The San Diego Padres have been relatively quiet this offseason when it comes to addressing their offensive shortcomings. Outside of bringing in versatile KBO standout Sung-mun Song, the front office has largely focused its attention on the pitching staff - and to be fair, that was a pressing need.
Re-signing Michael King was a smart move to stabilize the rotation. But let’s not forget why the Padres bowed out early in the postseason: they managed just five runs in three games against the Cubs in the NL Wild Card round.
That’s not going to cut it in October - or in a loaded National League, for that matter.
The most glaring hole? First base.
Ryan O’Hearn is gone, and the Padres haven’t filled that void. Luis Arraez is still floating around in free agency, but nothing has materialized there yet.
The designated hitter spot is also wide open, though Gavin Sheets - who put together a solid breakout campaign in 2025 - looks like a strong candidate for at least a platoon role.
But if the Padres want to take a real step forward offensively, they’ll need more than just internal hope and spring training surprises. That’s where Miguel Andujar could come in - and he might just be the late-offseason swing the Padres need to take.
Why Miguel Andujar Makes Sense for San Diego
Andujar’s career has been a rollercoaster. He burst onto the scene in 2019 with a 129 wRC+ and 76 extra-base hits, looking like a cornerstone piece. But the next four seasons were a grind - injuries, inconsistency, and diminished playing time turned him into more of a depth option than a lineup fixture.
Then came 2025.
Splitting time between the A’s and the Reds, Andujar found his swing again - and then some. In Cincinnati, he was a force.
From August 1 through the end of the season, he slashed .359/.400/.544 with a 159 wRC+, ranking 14th among all MLB hitters with at least 100 plate appearances over that stretch. He wasn’t just productive - he was one of the most dangerous bats in the league during the final two months.
Let’s be clear: no team is signing Andujar for his glove. At 30, he’s not offering much (if anything) defensively.
But as a bat-first DH? That’s where he can still provide real value - especially in a platoon role.
Andujar absolutely mashed left-handed pitching last season. We’re talking a .389/.409/.578 slash line and a 171 wRC+ against southpaws - elite production by any measure.
That’s exactly the type of hitter the Padres could use to complement Sheets, who struggled mightily against lefties. Pairing the two in a DH platoon could give San Diego a much-needed offensive boost without breaking the bank.
The Fit, the Role, and the Financial Question
There’s no question Andujar fits the bill in terms of talent and role. The only real hurdle here is financial.
Can the Padres afford to spend on a platoon DH this late in the offseason? That’s a fair question, especially with other needs still lingering and payroll flexibility always a concern.
But if the front office can make the numbers work, this is the kind of low-risk, high-upside move that could pay dividends. Andujar wouldn’t be expected to carry the offense - just do damage against lefties and give the lineup a little more balance. In a tight playoff race, that kind of edge can make all the difference.
Bottom line: the Padres need more offense. And if they’re looking for a cost-effective way to add a proven bat with a clear role, Miguel Andujar might just be the best option left on the board.