Friars on Base

Solak earned the look, but he wasn’t going to survive Andujar’s return. Feb 18, 2026; Peoria, AZ, USA; San Diego Padres Nick Solak (15) during spring training photo day. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images You root for Nick Solak because, why not? He did exactly what a veteran depth bat is supposed to do in Triple-A. He hit everything in sight and made himself noticeable for a little while.

Machado may be waking up, but the Padres cannot afford to get comfortable. Jun 20, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (13) circles the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the Texas Rangers during the tenth inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images | Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images The Padres finally got a vintage Manny Machado moment over the weekend.

The Padres should be on the phone with the Pirates a lot over the next month or so. Because this is exactly the kind of deadline setup that can work if a front office is willing to think past the end of the 2026 season. And whatever we want to say about A.J. Preller, thinking past the obvious hasn’t really been the problem. The Pirates are reportedly open to trading prospects and even their Competitive Balance Round A draft pick. The biggest component? They want bullpen arms.

Mason Miller is back with the Padres. That is what’s most important. The Padres reinstated him from the Bereavement/Family Medical Leave List and optioned rookie Bradgley Rodríguez to the Arizona Complex League. At first glance, it looks harsh since Rodríguez has been one of the more encouraging young arms in the organization this season. Many questioned if something went sideways. Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune quickly shut that down.

The Padres manager wanted no part of Jomboy, which made the viral breakdown even better. Jun 13, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Umpire Chris Conroy (98) ejects San Diego Padres manager Craig Stammen (14) from the game during the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: James A. Pittman-Imagn Images | James A. Pittman-Imagn Images Craig Stammen tried. We can at least give him that.

Jeff Passan spent a few minutes on Foul Territorythis week talking himself into a Tarik Skubal blockbuster for the San Diego Padres. To his credit, he talked himself right back out of it, all within a little more than a minute. Padres fans probably didn't love hearing it, but they should listen anyway. The pitch is pretty clear. The Padres could go get the best left-hander in baseball, slot him in front of Michael King, lean on their incredible bullpen, and go beat anybody. It’s a really fun thought.

The Padres have clearly seen enough of Marco Gonzales. It’s hard to blame them. They gave him 13 starts in Triple-A, and unfortunately,he couldn’t get on track. Not long ago, the concern was simple. Gonzales didn’t look like a pitcher forcing his way into San Diego’s starting rotation. He looked exactly like what he was: a 34-year-old lefty trying to fight his way back after missing the entire 2025 season. It’s certainly a comeback story worth rooting for. But they don’t always have a happy ending.

At some point, you’d expect the Padres rumor mill to quiet down. But when it comes to A.J. Preller, it just doesn’t work that way. This season, Tarik Skubal is the arm that every team should want. And there’s nothing complicated about that. Jeff Passan’s recent Padres take on Foul Territory makes it interesting though. He essentially pumped the brakes on San Diego as a serious chaser. His point was simple. He didn’t know if this Padres team was the one that would go out and make that kind of move.

Sandy Alcantara? Really? We’ve been down this road. For more than a year now, every time the Padres need pitching, it’s Alcantara’s name that gets thrown immediately into the mix. It’s familiar, probably a little too comfortable, and becoming harder to buy. Jon Heyman recently floated the Padres as a fit for Alcantara on MLB Network while talking through the starting pitching trade market. It’s kind of low-hanging fruit at this point. Alcantara is a former Cy Young winner.

Every trade deadline conversation around the Padres sprints toward the biggest name on the board. In this case, it’s Tarik Skubal. Once a major bat rumor gets started, it’ll be that guy. But there’s also another path available. No, it’s not as sexy. But it might just be savvy enough to work. Get on the phone and call the Mets. When they answer, ask about Luke Weaver. That’s not saying the Padres should abandon shopping for offense. They should do that too.