As the Padres dropped Game 3 of the NLWC to the Chicago Cubs, it marked the start of what would be a tumultuous offseason for A.J. Preller and the front office. The team had six players set to hit free agency, along with the potential for more to be traded to free up payroll.
Fast forward to late December, and the Padres have seen Dylan Cease, Robert Suarez, and Ryan O’Hearn depart. The truth is, the result could’ve been much worse. In fact, one of the most important pending free agents at season’s end may actually remain in San Diego after all.