The San Diego Padres have been quietly - but purposefully - reshaping their roster this offseason, and it goes beyond the headline moves like re-signing Michael King or bringing in KBO standout Sung-mun Song. What’s flown a bit under the radar is just how committed the front office has been to reinforcing the team’s depth - a clear response to the attrition they faced throughout the 2025 season.
Last year, the Padres were stretched thin when injuries and underperformance hit. Outside of veteran utility man José Iglesias, no reserve player stuck with the club for the entire season.
That revolving door of backups exposed a vulnerability the Padres are determined not to repeat. So this winter, A.J.
Preller and his staff have made it a priority to stockpile versatile, MLB-ready talent - players who can step in without the team missing a beat.
Enter Nick Solak, a familiar name to those who followed the Texas Rangers a few years ago. The Padres have signed the 31-year-old to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training, giving them another intriguing option in the race for bench spots.
Solak brings with him a solid base of big-league experience - 259 games and nearly 1,000 plate appearances, most of them coming in 2020 and 2021 with the Rangers. During that stretch, he slashed .250/.318/.357 with 43 extra-base hits and an 86 OPS+. He’s primarily a second baseman but has seen time at multiple positions, which only boosts his value in a bench role.
Originally a second-round pick by the Yankees back in 2016 out of Louisville, Solak’s journey has taken him through several organizations, including the Braves, Tigers, and Pirates. Since being let go by Texas in 2022, his MLB opportunities have been limited - just 11 plate appearances - but he’s stayed productive in Triple-A.
Last season, he posted a strong .332/.411/.492 line with 14 homers for the Pirates’ top affiliate. That kind of offensive upside, even at the Triple-A level, is exactly the kind of bet the Padres are looking to make.
As it stands, the Padres’ bench picture is still taking shape. Luis Campusano is locked in as the backup catcher and likely to see DH time.
Will Wagner offers utility infield flexibility, and Bryce Johnson is penciled in as the fourth outfielder. Mason McCoy and Tirso Ornelas - both on the 40-man roster - bring defensive versatility and pop, respectively, and are very much in the mix.
But Solak, with his experience and offensive potential, could absolutely force his way into that conversation during camp.
And he’s not the only depth piece being brought in. The Padres also reunited with lefty Omar Cruz and added right-hander Justin Yeager on minor-league deals, both of whom will also get non-roster invites to spring training. With the bullpen’s lower-leverage roles and the final bench spots still very much up for grabs, there’s a real opportunity for one or more of these signings to break camp with the big-league club.
This isn’t just about plugging holes - it’s about building a roster that can withstand the grind of a 162-game season. The Padres learned the hard way in 2025 that depth isn’t a luxury - it’s a necessity. And with moves like the addition of Solak, they’re showing they’re not going to be caught shorthanded again.