The San Diego Padres don’t really do “big” the way other teams do. They don’t do “interesting” the same way, either. So a minor league deal for a former Guardians first-round pick who’s basically been living in baseball’s witness protection program the last couple years? Yeah, that’s interesting. Especially because Cleveland’s typically frugal operation isn’t exactly known for tossing aside upside.
Per multiple reports, San Diego signed infielder Carson Tucker (Cleveland’s 23rd overall pick in 2020) to a minor league contract for the 2026 season. Tucker was released by the Guardians in July 2024, then spent 2025 rebooting his career in independent ball with the Ogden Raptors in the Pioneer League.