The San Diego Padres were rather quiet during MLB's rostering deadline on Nov. 18, protecting two prospects from Rule 5 Draft eligibility while showing shocking restraint from jumping in on the trading frenzy.
Truthfully, beyond re-signing Kyle Hart to a one-year deal, the Friars have been surprisingly willing to be patient this offseason. That could yield some dividends down the line, or it could be a result of the franchise's impending sale.
Regardless, one of the two prospects the Padres added to their 40-man roster was Miguel Mendez (reliever Garrett Hawkins was the other), a starting pitcher with impressive pedigree after a breakout 2025 campaign.