Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
The 2026 starting lineup is starting to round into form. However, the Padres need more depth off the bench. Who could fill that role?
The Padres’ starting lineup is looking nearly complete. With the addition of Sung Mun Song in the infield, the starting lineup looks competitive.
Projected starting lineup:
Jackson Merrill, CF
Manny Machado, 3B
Gavin Sheets, DH
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Ramon Laureano, LF
Jake Cronenworth, 1B
Sung Mun Song, 2B
That appears to be a fairly competitive lineup. Where the Padres fall short is depth. The bench looks like a major weakness. The bench options appear to be the likes of Luis Campusano, Willy Wagner, Mason McCoy, and Bryce Johnson.
Infielder Jose Miranda signed a minor-league deal with the club to compete for a spot this spring. Perhaps the team is hoping that he becomes 2026’s version of Gavin Sheets, or at least Jose Iglesias. Perhaps they are banking on Miranda looking more like his 2024 self (112 OPS+, 1.7 WAR) than last year’s disaster (13 OPS+, -0.3 WAR).
Either way, that’s not going to cut it for a team intending on making the postseason for a third straight season.
Think about the bench for the Padres last season. That included veteran Jose Iglesias, who put together a .771 OPS in September and October. They also had either Gavin Sheets or Ryan O’Hearn on the bench.
That’s a large drop-off from what they have now. It needs to be addressed. Who are some options on the open market to fill a bench role?
Willi Castro, UTL
Castro was a guy I had my eye on as a possible deadline addition last summer. He had a respectable 2025 season with the Twins, with a .743 OPS, 104 OPS+, and 10 homers in a utility role. Plus, if you want versatility, Castro played every single defensive position last year except for catcher and first base. Yes, that means he also made an appearance as a pitcher. Given that he’s a league-average hitter and can play anywhere means basically any team in Major League Baseball could use a player like Castro. Having him part of this team, where he can spell any everyday Padres player or step in when injuries inevitably come, would be a nice boost to depth.
Ty France, 1B/DH
This is a low-hanging fruit. France is a former Padre and San Diego State product. Why not? The Padres need another right-handed bat to pair with Gavin Sheets in the first base and DH roles. He is a few seasons removed from his All-Star form in Seattle in 2022. Since then, he has had a 94 OPS+ (six percent below average) with a .686 OPS. Still, for a bench bat, you could do a lot worse. France even got at-bats in the postseason for Toronto during their run to the World Series.
Mike Tauchman, OF
This might be a bit of a stretch, given that he could command a bit more than a low-cost flyer for a bench bat might usually go for. Despite never playing more than 110 games in any MLB season, he has posted an above-average OPS+ three straight seasons. His .356 on-base percentage last year would’ve ranked fourth on the Padres’ squad. His walk rate sits in the 84th percentile. Having an outfielder who can be serviceable on defense while being league-average at the plate is extremely valuable coming off the bench. Plus, the Padres need to upgrade their backup outfielder spots, with just Bryce Johnson slated in there at the moment.
Native of Escondido, CA. Lived in San Diego area for 20 years. Padres fan since childhood (mid-90s). I have been writing since 2014. I currently live near Seattle, WA and am married to a Seattle sports girl. I wore #19 on my high school baseball team for Tony Gwynn. I am a stats and sports history nerd. I attended BYU on the Idaho campus. I also love Star Wars.
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