The San Diego Padres are wasting no time reshaping their roster and coaching staff heading into 2026. With A.J.
Preller at the helm, the team has been active on multiple fronts - from locking in key pieces of the starting rotation to taking calculated swings on upside plays. And if the last 10 days are any indication, the Padres are looking to make a statement well before Opening Day.
Michael King Returns on a Three-Year Deal
Let’s start with the big one: Michael King is back in San Diego. The right-hander, who impressed down the stretch last season, has signed a three-year contract to rejoin the Padres.
According to King, things got serious about 10 days ago - right around the time Preller was wrapping up the Winter Meetings and shifting into execution mode. Preller tapped into his inner recruiter, enlisting new manager Craig Stammen and pitching coach Ruben Niebla to reach out directly to King.
That personal touch helped seal the deal.
King’s return brings some much-needed clarity to a rotation that’s been in flux. He’s not just a familiar face - he’s a versatile arm who can stabilize the middle or back end of the rotation, depending on how the rest of the offseason shakes out. For a team that’s seen its share of turnover on the mound, this is a move that brings both continuity and upside.
Padres Eyeing Korean Infielder Sung-Mun Song
The Padres are also making international noise, reportedly agreeing to terms with Korean infielder Sung-Mun Song on a three-year, $13 million deal. While the contract hasn’t been finalized yet, the clock is ticking - the Padres have until Dec. 21 to make it official or Song returns to the Kiwoom Heroes.
Song is one of the top international free agents out of Korea and has shown positional versatility, logging time at third, second, and first base. While some scouts see him as a utility guy with offensive upside, the transition from KBO to MLB is no small leap - especially when it comes to adjusting to the velocity and pitch movement stateside. But if Song can close that gap, he could become a legitimate candidate for the first base job or at least a valuable piece off the bench.
Should the deal go through, the Padres would owe a posting fee of 20% of his contract value to the Heroes - a small price if Song turns out to be more than just a depth option.
Triston McKenzie: A Low-Risk, High-Upside Gamble
One of the more intriguing moves of the week flew under the radar: the Padres signed right-hander Triston McKenzie to a minor league contract with an invite to Spring Training.
McKenzie, once a rising star in Cleveland, worked with current Padres pitching coach Ruben Niebla during his best stretch - a 2022 season where he posted a 2.92 ERA over 30 starts. But elbow and shoulder issues derailed his momentum, and his 2023 numbers - both in the big leagues and the Dominican Winter League - reflected those struggles.
Still, Preller sees potential: “Those are always intriguing players - somebody that’s coming back from injuries, has something to prove,” he said during King’s press conference. At 6-foot-5 and just 164 pounds, McKenzie has the lanky frame and arm talent that coaches love to work with. If Niebla and the staff can tap back into what made him effective, McKenzie could become a valuable depth piece or even push for a spot at the back end of the rotation.
Coaching Staff Finalized Under Craig Stammen
With Craig Stammen stepping into the manager’s chair, the Padres have finalized his coaching staff - and it’s a group that reflects his collaborative, team-first approach. Notably, former bench coach Brian Esposito will remain in the organization but won’t be part of the big-league staff.
Raul Padron, previously the Triple-A hitting coach, has been promoted to the major league hitting staff, rounding out a four-person unit. Vinny Lopez has been named the outfield and base running instructor, a role that overlaps with first base coach Dave Macias’ responsibilities. It’s a setup that emphasizes shared responsibilities and a collective approach - something Stammen mentioned would be a hallmark of his leadership style.
Minor League Depth Adds Continue
The Padres have also been busy adding organizational depth, re-signing and acquiring several players on minor league deals:
- Omar Cruz returns to the organization after being waived at the end of last season. The 26-year-old right-hander was previously on the major league roster and could get a Spring Training invite.
- Justin Yeager, a 27-year-old reliever formerly with the Brewers, signed a minor league deal after finishing 2025 at the Triple-A level.
- Albieris Polanco, a 19-year-old righty from the Dominican Republic, joins the system as an international free agent.
- Blake Hunt, the former second-round pick who was part of the Blake Snell trade, is back on a minor league deal after bouncing around multiple organizations.
- Nathanael Jacinto, a 20-year-old pitcher out of the Dominican Republic, also inked a minor league contract earlier this month.
These moves may not make headlines, but they’re the kind of depth signings that can quietly pay off over a long season.
Mason Miller Named to Team USA
In a bit of well-earned recognition, Padres reliever and expected closer Mason Miller has been named to Team USA for the upcoming World Baseball Classic. He becomes the first Padre on the USA roster for this tournament, joining teammates Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Xander Bogaerts as players set to leave camp in the spring to compete internationally.
It’s Miller’s first shot at representing the U.S. on the global stage, and he’ll be part of a stacked bullpen for a team with championship aspirations. For the Padres, it’s another sign that their talent is being recognized beyond the confines of Petco Park.
Bottom line: The Padres aren’t just tinkering - they’re building. Between the return of Michael King, the potential addition of Sung-Mun Song, and a smart flier on Triston McKenzie, Preller and his front office are threading the needle between win-now moves and long-term upside. Add in a coaching staff built around collaboration and a flurry of minor league depth signings, and it’s clear: San Diego is setting the stage for a pivotal 2026 campaign.