First look at Padres’ 2020 payroll projection

(Gregory Bull/AP) San Diego Padres catcher Austin Hedges, left, celebrates with closing pitcher Kirby Yates after defeating the Boston Red Sox in a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, in San Diego.11 Padres are eligible for salary arbitration in 2020, headlined by closer Kirby Yates and catcher Austin Hedges

Baseball’s offseason won’t begin until after the conclusion of the World Series, but MLBTradeRumors.com’s salary arbitration projections gives us quite a bit to ponder as we await the Padres’ managerial hire.

Here’s the projections for 11 arbitration-eligible Padres who have garnered at least three years of service time, followed by our initial forecast for the Padres’ 2020 opening day…