[Sundance]

5/7/2025

The Padres traded 28 year old SP Christifer Andritsos, 27 year old CL Charles King, 25 year old 2B Len Pittman, 23 year old LF Rob Dann, and 35 year old SS Stephen Carmon, along with several draft picks to the Jacksonville Falcons for their 1st round draft pick.

Both teams seemed happy with the details of the transaction. The Falcons (A recent expansion team) are looking to build their franchise and have acquired to two proven and very well rated big leaguers in Andritsos and King. They also add to their minor league system with prospects Pittman and Dann. Not to mention the several draft picks that they picked up in this trade.

Meanwhile, rumor has it that the Padres were looking to free up cap space in order to offer extensions to certain players. GM Syrio Forel looks to bolster the club’s minor league system with the acquisition of Jacksonville’s 1st round pick. Fans were displeased at the loss of Andritsos, but Forel hopes that upcoming news may bring them back into good spirits.

5/14/2025

Star SP Bryan Hoeing has signed an 8 year, $91 million extension with the Padres. While the team remains a small market franchise with penny-pinching ownership, Syrio Forel is determined to send a message to his players – If you play well and are loyal to the club, he’ll find ways to treat you right. Rumor has it that this is not the only big deal that’s on the plate for the Padres. There could be another major extension announced in a few days.

5/19/2025

Fan favorite 3B Brendan Rodgers has agreed to an 8 year, $257 million extension. Rodgers leads the team in hits and stolen bases, and his .291 BA ranks 2nd on the roster. The 27 year old is also closing in on 1500 hits for his career. Over the years, Rodgers has been the Padres’ most consistent offensive threat, and GM Forel believes that this new extension is a justified reward. It looks like Rodgers will be anchoring the Padres’ lineup for years to come.

5/25/2025

RHP Randy Tanton has struggled this season and today we may have found out why. Tanton was seen grabbing his shoulder following a pitch in the dirt and was taken out of the game versus Houston after 1.2 innings of work. Scans came back negative for any sort of tears, but they did reveal severe inflammation in his right shoulder. Early indications suggest that Tanton will be out 4-5 months while undergoing treatment to reduce the inflammation. So far this season, Tanton has blown 5 saves and has posted a 5.95 ERA. The Padres are hoping that Randy can get the rest that he needs and can regain his 2024 form (2.33 ERA, 41/46 Saves).

5/28/2025

CF Brad Sutherland tore a ligament in his thumb during a diving catch versus the Reds. He is expected to miss 4 weeks while he recovers. This is a massive blow to the Padres’ lineup as Sutherland is having the breakout year that GM Forel was hoping for. He leads the team in nearly every offensive category, and leads the NL in slugging, OPS, WAR, home runs, runs, extra base hits, and total bases. Syrio Forel seemed relieved at his press conference when the news broke that Sutherland would only miss 4 weeks, as he seemed to be in an awful amount of pain as he walked off the field. Although this injury could have been far worse, the Padres will surely miss Sutherland while he is recovering.

The latest injury news has raised doubts about Brad’s durability. While it is hard to fault a player for getting injured during a stellar defensive effort, that fact remains that this isn’t his first stint on the DL. Sutherland spent nearly two-thirds of last season on the DL, and fans and ownership are hoping that we aren't seeing a repeat of that trend.

5/30/2025

Players often see their numbers slip after signing big contracts, and Brendan Rodgers seems to be no different. However, there may have been a very legitimate reason for his decreasing output. Rodgers was taken off the field late in the game versus the Reds after feeling a sharp pain jolt through his arm following a throw. GM Syrio Forel issued a statement confirming that the injury has been diagnosed as bicep tendonitis and that the star 3B would be out 5-6 weeks. Forel was hesitant to blame Rodgers’ recent slump on this injury, but he did comment that it was something that has most likely been building up and that it is possible that it’s been affecting his performance.

Monthly Review

The team went 19-8 in the month of May, bringing their season record to 30-18. The Padres are in 2nd place in the West, just a game and a half behind the Dodgers. The team currently ranks 1st in the NL in slugging, home runs, and strikeouts, and 2nd in BA, OPS, and runs. The pitching staff hasn’t retained their 2024 form and has proven at times to be vulnerable. Overall, the staff’s numbers are solid as they rank 1st in the NL in hits allowed, and opponent’s BA. The starters rank 2nd in ERA, and the staff ranks 3rd in ERA and runs allowed. However, the bullpen has struggled this season, posting an ERA of 4.29 – 13th in the NL.

Monthly Awards

AL:

Top Batter – Koto Suzuki (.400 BA, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 20 R), Tigers
Top Pitcher – Keith Murdock (4-0, 40 K, 0.27 ERA), Royals
Rookie – Joey Savin (.367 BA, 8 HR, 19 RBI, 16 R), Angels

NL:

Top Batter – Brad Sutherland (.344 BA, 12 HR, 21 RBI, 22 R), Padres
Top Pitcher – Luis Ortiz (4-1, 44 K, 1.05 ERA), Crusaders
Rookie – Luis Berrera (.337 BA, 3 HR, 14 RBI, 13 R), Marlins