The Padres announced their list of non-roster Spring Training invitees this evening. Among the acquisitions not previously covered at MLBTR: reliever Matt Festa and utility player Tyler Wade. San Diego also brought back catcher Chandler Seagle on a new minor league pact after he’d elected free agency.
According to Wade’s transaction log at MLB.com, he inked his deal back in November. The transaction eluded MLBTR at the time. The Marietta native sticks in California after spending the prior two seasons with the Angels and A’s. Wade tallied a career-high 163 plate appearances with the Halos two years ago but only got into 26 contests for Oakland.
Previously a utility player with the Yankees, Wade has appeared in seven MLB seasons. The speedy left-handed hitter owns a .217/.293/.300 batting line in just over 700 plate appearances. He’s coming off a solid .291/.384/.409 showing through 91 games with Oakland’s Triple-A affiliate. Wade stole 42 bases in 51 attempts in the minors a year ago. He’s a versatile depth option who can cover either middle infield position or play anywhere in the outfield.
Festa signed with San Diego today, according to the transaction tracker. The 30-year-old righty (31 next month) had lingered in free agency since he was released by the Mariners last August. Festa was on the minor league injured list with an undisclosed malady at the time, explaining why he didn’t catch on with another team for the stretch run.
Injuries have been an issue for Festa, who lost a good portion of the 2020-21 seasons to Tommy John surgery. The former seventh-round draftee returned to the mound in Triple-A at the tail end of the ’21 campaign. He made Seattle’s roster the following year and logged a personal-high 54 innings. Festa worked to a 4.17 ERA behind a very strong 29.2% strikeout percentage, although he allowed an alarming 1.67 homers per nine innings.
Seattle only gave Festa eight MLB appearances last season. Before going on the IL, he’d pitched 28 times for the M’s top affiliate in Tacoma. His ERA there could hardly have been better. He allowed only two earned runs in 34 frames (0.53 per nine) for the Rainiers. Despite the nearly immaculate run prevention, his strikeout and walk profile was middling. Festa only fanned 21.9% of opponents while issuing free passes at an alarming 12.5% clip. An unsustainably low .114 batting average on balls in play against him was a big reason for the ERA being as impressive as it was.
Seagle, a 27-year-old depth catcher, has spent his entire career in the San Diego system. A 30th round pick in 2017, he’s a .204/.277/.287 hitter in more than 1000 minor league plate appearances. While he clearly isn’t going to provide much at the plate, the Padres seem happy enough with his defensive ability to keep him in the minors. San Diego called Seagle up for the final weekend of 2023 after losing Luis Campusano to injury. He got into a game and received one at-bat. The Padres placed him on waivers at the start of the offseason but brought him back last week in a non-roster capacity.
It’s strange to see a guy’s K/BB ratio change that much over time, even if it is from the low minors to MLB. Guys like George Kirby and Logan Gilbert demonstrate a more expected K/BB progression. Is that the stat injuries harm the most?
Matt Festa, the Pride of East Stroudsburg University!
There it is. That will get it done.
Huge signing!
Maybe the acquisition of the offseason for the Padres.
Wait that really is only acquisition of the offseason for the Padres.
You really don’t follow the Padres very close?
Typical generic insult.
PadreB2011 is that a refernce to the amazing 2011 Padres?
Sans Adrian Gonzalez.
Another Bot.
@towinagain slides into the comments with the most worn out joke on MLBTR then throws a hissy fit that the reply is a “typical generic insult”.
Good stuff. Good stuff.
Going after me doesn’t change the lack of moves the Padres have made this offseason or thar the Dodgers have lapped us repeatedly.
How is this team better than last year?
Team lost:
Ace
GenerationL hitter
All star closer
4th and 5h starters
GOLD glove CF
Bench depth
Etc
Sure though, criticize me. I’m fine with that, it just doesn’t change where the Pads are at.
Towinagain:Last years team wasn’t better than the one the year before even after adding Bogaerts and getting Tatis back.Adds/losses during the offseason aren’t done in a vacuum.
Sometimes teams get better or worse “despite” what moves they make.
The Padres will get better by just not going 1-12 in xtra inning games again and hitting better w/ risp.
3rd best run differential means last years team was unlucky.
I can see.your point on that. I think, though this team has not added any major leaguers, save King and 2 arms with some level of major leaguae experience, to replace the talent lost.
This team is relying on two arms, one from the KBO and the other from Japan to bolster the pen. They aren’t bad pickups but the only major acquisitions.
Meaning, this team is relying on the farm to step in immediately to improve the team.
If that is the direction it’s a risk.
Many experts disagree on rushing talent.
The Paddes are left with Azocar and no lf or Marsee/Merrill to fill in.
Waldron and Avilla round out your rotation.
No depth if Musgrove and Darvish go down.
No proven closer.
Manny won’t be back for awhile.
A quasi first baseman in Cronenworth.
A mystery at catcher in Campusano
Lost gold glove defense in CF in Grisham.
No bench depth or leadership.
Are we sure the record will improve in one run games?
The team may not be in many one run games.
“No depth if” and “no bench depth”. You mention depth twice. What do you think that signing a reliever with major league experience to a minor league contract is? Yes the Padres have holes. Every team does. Yet the Padres only have roughly $20-$25 million to spend for the rest of the 2024 season. They cannot afford to just pick up all-stars to cover LF, CF, DH, and 2 starting pitchers for $25 million. Get over it.
The Padres bullpen is set. They signed the best closer from Japan and the best closer from Korea. They got them both cheap. Festa adds depth in case of injury. It’s a good signing.
Why don’t you tell us how the Padres can fill DH, LF, CF, 1B, proven catcher, #4 starter, #5 starter, quality experienced closer AND quality depth for $25 million? We’ll wait.
No team is perfect. Complaining about it without offering workable solutions is just lazy.
Why do you complain about the padres not signing players that teams signed to minors deals, but when the padres finally make a minor league signing you still complain?
tia
“There it is. That will get it done.
Huge signing!
Maybe the acquisition of the offseason for the Padres.
Wait that really is only acquisition of the offseason for the Padres.”
Oddly enough, these kinds of comments are less the than minor league signings of the internet. At least players like these provide some value. While comments like tia’s are TOTALLY worthless.
Value? Please define the value of replacement or below replacement level signings?
tia
Your contribution here was below replacement level
Take any random person from the street and they would contribute more than you. Regardless of if they knew anything about baseball or not
If you’re taking about replacement level as in WAR, that info has been readily available for over a decade. If you’re actually interested, there’s plenty of explanations out there
If this is some attempted “gotcha”, save it, it’s almost certainly worn out and tired
How does that apply to the moves the Padres are making? Haha.
So the Padres, where they stand are better than last year?
tia
:sighs:
A replacement level commenter has the ability to put multiple thoughts together on the same topic
You do not seem to be able to do that. You’re below replacement level. You make the discussion worse.
How does that apply to the lack of moves and the growing needs the Padres have for 2024?
How are the Padres any better in 2024 than they were in 2023?
Attacking me does not change the fact the Padres have lost nearly a third to half of their team.
They have not replaved an outfielder with an over 5 war.
They have not replaced an Ace.
They have not replaced a gold glove CF.
They have not replaced 4th and 5th starters.
Just saying.
ita
Ok?
What do any of your comments have to do with that or how do they add to the conversation?
How does this signing help?
Festa, to the pen?
Maybe he makes the team?
Does he replace a Tim Hill in the least.
Tyler Wade, utility player with little to no MLB experience.
Does he even make the team?
Seagle, a catcher. To replace the value Sanchez was to this team really?
How do these moves help replace the value of the players lost?
tia
“How does this signing help?”
How does your original comment help the conversation?
These signings help by making sure lower level players don’t have to play above their level, which likely hurts their development.
Then, getting a player into your system can sometimes unlock their potential. There are countries examples of this throughout MLB.
Glad to help
Now, what does any of this have to do with your questioning of replacement level?
So the Pads have addressed depth and development at the minor league level, the minor league level.
How do these signings adress the loss of personnel at the major league level?
tia
1) you refuse to answer my questions, so, I will not answer yours
You are below replacement level – making the conversation worse
I’ll remind you in case you’ve forgotten, what does your question about replacement level have to do with the rest of this conversation?
Since when did this become personal?
If you want to continue insult me, though I have not attacked you personally that’s fine.
My point is this.
These are minor league signings.
If the only moves the Padres are making are fringe minor league signings that have no bearing on the major league roster then the Padres are in trouble.
The Padres have not addressed their needs at the major league level.
tia
“The Padres have not addressed their needs at the major league level.”
OK?
What does your question about replacement level have to do with that?
This is at least the third time I’ve asked you
The players acquired in the moves above are more than likely replacement level players.
This team has not replaced Soto or Grisham.
This team has not replaced Wacha and Lugo.
This team does not have a replacement for Sanchez.
This team has no depth on the bench.
I could go on.
My point has been the entire time on here that minor league moves do not replace the major league talent lost.
There is no question to answer.
tia
Why did you ask these questions?
“Value? Please define the value of replacement or below replacement level signings?”
It’s obvious I am conversing with automation.
The diction in these responses do not reflect an individual with a level of consciousness capable of understanding the particular point being made.
I will reiterate my main assertion.
The Padres minor league additions/moves made to this point do not replace the level of talent lost.
tia
“I will reiterate my main assertion.”
What do the questions about replacement level have to do with your main point?
The “question” is not the point.
If I needed any more validation about what entity I am “dialoging” with.
Algorithms, automation, multiple screen names generated to simulate dissent.
The days of genuine discussion are waning.
tia
“The days of genuine discussion are waning.”
Because of people like you
You can’t carry on a conversation because you don’t even know what you’re talking about or why you’re saying the words that you are. Why did you ask about the definition of replacement level?
The facts speak for themselves.
This team lost a third to half of its all star worthy talent and has done nothing to replace it.
These are the facts.
Just say it, it’s your right to do so. But why repeat the same statement 30 times?
B88
Moi?
If toi would answer, I’d quit asking
Not you dude, tow is a broken record
Team needs:
LF
CF
DH
1B
2 starters
Bench depth.
Did these signings do anything to address those needs?
If these are the players they will use to replace Soto, the Padres have serious problems.
If they add no other outfielders the likely guys to replace Soto will be Marsee and or Merrill.
The only way any of these guys make the team is if they have a huge spring.
This offseason has been really slow and other moves will still be made. Even if the padres want to stay below the tax they still have 25m in room.
Patience is the key right now. Even if patience is running out for a lot of padres fans.
Also Padres have 14-20 legit prospects. I wouldn’t rule out a trade or two coming at some point.
Patience, yep. Most of the chatter with the team losing Soto is that they need pitching. The do of course need to add another SP or two (LHP), but I’m as concerned about their offense as I am the SP. On the positive side, it’s very likely Tatis, Machado, Bogaerts, Cronenworth play closer to their career norms, rather than way below. Tatis especially should have a big year. Campusano might take a big step too. They will need to add at least 2 bats that give them more slug though. Would be a big mistake to rush Merrill, especially as an OF, it will shunt his development. Finally, the 5 openings on the 40 man will be filled with some vets, not minor leaguers. With February approaching and trades getting more active across MLB, the Pads will work a trade or three in the next weeks as other teams needs also start to emerge. It’s inevitable
I agree that is the most likely scenario.
The padres have a good core in tatis, Machado, Xander, Kim, Campusano and cronenworth. It’s the other 3 spots they need to add at least major league quality players to.
I’d be surprised if they don’t add at least 2 other major leaguers to fill the 3 starting spots. I could see them leaving 1 spot open to be filled by one of Marsee, Merrill or Pauley. Even if they are better suited to start in the minors.
I also expect them to add at least one more starting pitcher to the mix.
In a perfect world they would add two more starting pitchers, 2 outfielders and a 1b/dh type though I could see them only adding 3 of the 5. Filling the other holes with guys in the org already.
At this point though who really knows because they have been so quiet.
Of Marsee, Merrill and Pauley, I could see the Pauley get the most ML ABs in the first few months. Sweet swing on that boy and he’s developed defensively. The other two have a higher ceiling perhaps, especially Merrill of course. Playoffs or not, this could actually be a fun year seeing whom among the leading edge of youngsters starts to emerge. It’s a set up year for 2025, hope they’re smart about it.
@towinagain
Congratulations! Your expectations for the Padres 2024 season and Preller’s ability as GM, are so low, that you will inevitably be surprised and pleased, by next years team. From your perspective, the Padres are so close to the MLB floor, that they have nowhere to go, but up.
Of course, ALL of your summations about the status of the team, and this offseason, lack a certain degree of context. But that’s ok, you’re just an angry guy (I assume that’s your gender, now days, ya can get in trouble doing such things…. but I digress), and unhappy Padres fan. As my division Chief used to tell me, “Sir, don’t worry about morale. A b*tching sailor is a happy sailor!”.
So, don’t worry, be happy!! Your Pads are going places you’d never believe. I recall complaints just last year, such as, those unproven Wacha, Lugo, and Martinez guys being “… all the Padres have for half their rotation, they’ll crash for sure”, or some such stuff. I expect some of these signings to do very much the same. They won’t all be as bad as you expect, and the Padres had a pretty decent roster to start with. Again, context is everything, in analysis.
‘Lack a certain degree of context’
Aside from the fact this team has lost nearly a third to half of it’s roster.
A generational talent in left field, gone.
A gold glove talent in center field, gone.
A CY Young Ace, gone.
A fourth and fifth starter, gone.
A catcher who had the second highest home run total by a catcher in Padres history, gone.
The bench depth, gone.
These are just the facts my friend.
My assertions about this club are a reflection of its current state.
Analytics will reflect that at this particular moment, the Padres have not done anything to replace the talent lost.
But hey, to your point, games aren’t played on paper;)
Just trying to get you to back away from the La Jolla cliffside… and I’m not enamored with the moves and/or lack of them… but Salt is right. For that matter, everybody here is right. Patience is a virtue here when you’re “bottom-feeding” to round out your roster. The main point is the CBT reset; what happens between now and mid-Spring Training is nearly inconsequential. The ‘pen is set, Manny should be at 1st for a while, I think we’ll be OK with whomever mans CF (remember- patience), Vazquez and/or Brito might surprise us and win a rotation spot (very possible), I suspect AJ will make a small-to-mid trade for an LF or CFer, and maybe we grab one more SP. The recent word has been Thor or Lorenzen. Maybe Ryu? Doesn’t really matter- we’re a long way from Opening Day and I trust AJ to navigate the reset AND provide a winning squad. Chin up, compadre!
Patience = hopium/copium
Hope is not a plan.
Well, tomato tomahtoe. You can’t sign the tip-top guys today if you’re balancing $25m to last until Game 162+. I’d like a buffer zone to be able to add at the TDL. Gallo would have been nice at that price but, like every FA, he chose where to sign. I suppose our main difference is I still trust AJ? Idk, but we’ll be fine come Game 1.
The Padres have a grand total of $20-$25 million left to spend on payroll this year. They cannot sign stars to fill every position. You can either come on here daily and complain(which you have) about the Padres not spending money…or you can switch your allegiance to the team up the freeway with unlimited funds. It’s your choice.
Why keep howling at the moon and berating the Padres when they cannot do anything else?
I trust AJ but he’s been given peanuts to work with.
I will believe the “25 million” when they sign someone.
Until then that means nothing.
This current post Sedler group has done little to prove to fans they are willing to spend anything.
Less than a month before spring training and this team is considerably worse than an 82-80 team last year.
20 to 25 million is a speculative number.
Until the books are open and fans have access to the numbers it’s all speculation.
We aren’t paid to do the Padres accounting.
Willingness to spend is key.
How willing are they to spend?
It’s not speculative, tow. It’s the current payroll against the 1st CBT penalty number. It’s all in black-and-white, yes, even for us to view. They’re willing to spend (just under roughly 25m left to last all ’24 season…), but the reset is voided if they sit above the 1st Penalty at the end of the year. They have a limited budget, but when I look out at the team come Game 1 then I feel confident that they will be a Wild Card team. So what, we’re not winning the West… but when do we ever?
This team is going into the year with Azocar at CF.
Merrill or Marsee in LF.
There isn’t a DH.
Avilla and Waldron are the 4th and 5th starters.
Manny won’t start the year.
The closer is yet to be determined.
No bench depth.
At this point:
The Dosgers are better.
The Diamondbacks have improved on a WS team and are better.
The Giants have a stronger, proven rotation and better all around talent.
The Padres are top heavy and figure to be at 4th in the division.
This team is not wild card worthy.
They will go into the into the season with Azocar in CF, Marsee or Merrill in LF? You say that with conviction but that is highly unlikely. Unlikely means it’s not likely to happen. January 28 today, more trades will happen between now and early March than have happened in the past 2 months. The Pads “are likely” to use a combination of the $20-25M and prospect capital to bring in 1-2 more SPs and 2-3 more position players (2 OFs). I’m sorry it’s stressful, but this offseason in MLB can best be coined boring so far for about 27 teams. It’s about to heat up.
Two ‘alarmings’ in one very, very brief player descriptive? TWO?
Well then, color Padre fans alarmed, Matt Festa. How about adding in the letter ‘i” to your last name to help dis-alarm that fanbase’s fiestanistas.
Hope all the Faithful enjoyed the “Golden Era” of Pobre baseball. The Glory Days of finishing “only” 20 or so games behind the Dodgers are over.
Um, he’s a “Murrieta” (CA) native, not “Marietta” (OH & GA). Conveniently, Marietta Cillege is actually known for their baseball though……
There it is, their Big Move, that they promissed everyone before the FA Start !! Sigh