Padres Well-Represented in WBC Rosters, Ownership Developments Loom, and Rotation Still Taking Shape
The World Baseball Classic rosters dropped on Friday, and the San Diego Padres are making their presence felt across the globe. A total of ten players from the organization are suiting up for their home countries, a testament to the international talent pipeline the Padres have built.
Mason Miller will be donning the red, white, and blue for Team USA, while the Dominican Republic boasts a star-studded trio in Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Wandy Peralta. Xander Bogaerts will represent the Netherlands, Yuki Matsui joins Team Japan, and Italy will feature Ron Marinaccio and Alek Jacob. Carter Loewen is headed to Team Canada, Josh Mallitz to Israel, and Miguel Cienfuegos rounds out the group with Panama.
For many of these players, representing their country is more than just a baseball assignment-it’s a lifelong dream. But from a Padres perspective, there's a balancing act here.
With so many key contributors leaving camp during Spring Training, there’s a natural concern about how that time away might impact their readiness for the regular season. Spring is when timing gets dialed in, rotations get stretched out, and chemistry starts to build.
Losing that time-even for a good reason-can leave a team playing catch-up in April.
Ownership Watch: Change on the Horizon in San Diego?
Meanwhile, off the field, the Padres' ownership picture is starting to shift. The long-running legal dispute between Sheel Seider and Matt and Bob Seidler is nearing resolution, and with that, the path toward a potential sale of the franchise is becoming clearer.
According to a recent report, several prospective buyers are already in the mix, and formal bids could be submitted before the end of the month. While nothing is finalized yet, the wheels are clearly turning.
For Padres fans, this could mean a new era of leadership is on the horizon-one that might bring changes in spending philosophy, front office structure, or long-term vision. Until then, it’s a waiting game with high stakes for the franchise’s future.
Machado’s Role and the Rotation Picture
Back on the field, Manny Machado continues to be a central figure in San Diego-on and off the diamond. Since arriving, he’s been the heartbeat of the clubhouse, and that leadership role isn’t going anywhere. As part of an ongoing roster review, Machado’s impact is being re-examined, not just as a hitter and fielder, but as the tone-setter for a team that’s still trying to find consistent footing in the ultra-competitive NL West.
The rotation, too, remains a work in progress. The top five arms have been under the microscope all offseason, and while there’s talent in the group, there’s still a sense that one more piece could make a difference.
Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller hasn’t closed the door on adding another starter through free agency.
With Spring Training just around the corner, the clock is ticking-but don’t be surprised if Preller makes a late move to shore up the staff.
Around the League: Skubal Gets Paid, O’s and D-backs Swap Talent, Pirates Add Depth
Elsewhere in the league, Tigers ace Tarik Skubal won his arbitration case and will earn $32 million in 2026. That’s a hefty number, but not surprising given his back-to-back AL Cy Young Awards. Skubal has emerged as one of the most dominant lefties in the game, and Detroit is clearly betting big on his continued rise.
The Orioles and Diamondbacks pulled off a trade that sent infielder Blaze Alexander to Baltimore. In return, Arizona picked up a right-handed reliever and a pair of minor league prospects. It’s the kind of move that could pay off for both sides-Baltimore gets a versatile bat, and Arizona adds depth to its bullpen and farm system.
And in Pittsburgh, the Pirates made a low-risk, potentially high-reward signing by bringing in free agent right-hander Jose Urquidy on a one-year, $1.5 million deal. Urquidy has shown flashes of being a reliable arm when healthy, and the Bucs are hoping he can provide stability to their rotation.
What’s Next
With the WBC on the horizon, ownership questions looming, and roster decisions still to be made, the Padres enter Spring Training with no shortage of storylines. The talent is there.
The leadership is intact. Now it’s about navigating the next few weeks with focus and clarity-and hoping that the players representing their countries come back ready to chase something even bigger in San Diego.