The trade involving Juan Soto and Trent Grisham left the Padres with a void for a left-handed bat, while the departure of Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha increased the team’s urgency for pitching. According to a report from Robert Murray of The Baseball Insiders on Tuesday, the Padres are actively pursuing both a left-handed bat and pitching. Preller, the team’s general manager, has been relatively quiet during the winter, but it appears that he is now exploring various options and might be ending the period of inactivity.

On Wednesday, the Padres reached an agreement with left-handed reliever Wandy Peralta on a four-year contract, adding a third left-hander to their bullpen alongside Tom Cosgrove and Yuki Matsui. Cosgrove performed exceptionally well as a rookie last year, boasting a 1.75 ERA and a .974 WHIP in 54 games, while Matsui, with a decade of experience in Japan, is embarking on his first season in Major League Baseball.

However, the Padres currently have only three left-handed hitters to counter right-handed pitching: Jake Cronenworth, Brett Sullivan, and Tucupita Marcano. With just two listed outfielders on the 40-man roster, acquiring a hitter in the free-agent market would be a sensible move.

Cody Bellinger, a former National League MVP, is currently without a contract in February. Although familiar with the National League West from his time with the Dodgers, he may be beyond the Padres’ budget after an impressive 2023 season with the Chicago Cubs. If the Padres look to free agency for left-handed hitters, options like Eddie Rosario and David Peralta, offering strong defense in left field and league-average hitting, stand out. Another possibility is a reunion with Jurickson Profar, who had a successful stint with the Padres last year, displaying versatility across multiple positions.

If the Padres continue to pursue pitchers, there are quality starters available in the market. Rumors suggest interest in right-handed pitcher Michael Lorenzen, potentially the top pitcher within the Padres’ preferred tier. Other established veterans such as Hyun-Jin Ryu and Zack Greinke, though older, still have the ability to deliver solid performances.

Corey Kluber, despite a challenging 2022 season, has shown capability in the past, while Brad Keller, dealing with thoracic outlet syndrome last season, could offer significant upside if healthy. Recognizing the inherent risks at this stage of the offseason, the Padres, considering potential signings from the “bargain bin,” may find the upside well worth the associated risks.