The San Diego Padres President of Baseball Operations and General Manager A.J. Preller stated on the last day of MLB’s Winter Meetings that he wanted to get clarification of the starting rotation “sooner rather than later.” That was Dec. 10. During the press conference on Friday, Dec. 19, announcing the signing of returning right-handed starter Michael King to a three-year deal, King said the discussions with Preller got serious “about 10 days ago.” That was when Preller asked manager Craig Stammen and pitching coach Ruben Niebla to text King, asking about his willingness to come back to the Padres.

While Preller was in Orlando discussing the trade market and the Padres’ need for starting pitching, he and the rest of the staff were working behind the scenes to bring King back into the fold. But that wasn’t the only player Preller was working to sign in the 10 days since the end of the winter meetings.

Although not an official deal yet, Preller has apparently landed Korean infielder Sung-Mun Song to a three-year deal for a reported $13 million. Considered a top international free agent from Korea, Song has primarily been a third baseman but has also played second and first base for the Kiwoom Heroes. Although some evaluators consider him as a utility player with offensive upside, the transition to the MLB from the KBO can be a struggle for some hitters due to the velocity and movement MLB pitchers employ against hitters. If Song can make that transition, his upside is significant, and he could become a candidate for the first base job.

The end of his window for a commitment to an MLB team is Dec. 21. The Padres will need to officially commit by then or he returns back to the Heroes. If the deal becomes official, the organization will owe his Korean team a posting fee of 20 percent of his contract amount up to $25 million.

An under-the-radar signing occurred this past week when Preller signed RHP Triston McKenzie to a minor league contract. McKenzie is also receiving an invite to Spring Training with his deal. Coming from a long stint in the Guardians organization, where he worked with former Guardians and current Padres pitching coach Ruben Niebla, McKenzie has a spotted history but significant upside.

He posted a 2.92 ERA over 30 starts in 2022 for the Guardians but then developed elbow and shoulder injuries and hasn’t been the same player since. He had a 11.12 ERA in four big-league appearances last season and wasn’t any better in the Dominican Winter League with 11.2 innings pitched and a 5.40 ERA. A reunion with Niebla could be exactly what the doctor ordered, and the Padres are taking a low-risk and high-reward gamble.

“Those are always intriguing players – somebody that’s coming back from injuries, has something to prove,” said general manager A.J. Preller, speaking at Friday’s press conference to announce the signing of King. “In a different organization, maybe we can unlock something there. But he’s always been a super talented guy.”

At 6-5 and 164 pounds, the 28-year-old McKenzie provides potential back end of the rotation upside or rotation depth. If he and the Padres pitching coaches can straighten out his issues, he could be the kind of project that the organization has excelled at in the past.

The Padres made Craig Stammen’s coaching staff official and former bench coach Brian Esposito will be reassigned within the organization but will not be a part of the major league staff. They also announced further additions besides what had already been reported and these include former Triple-A hitting coach Raul Padron as the hitting instructor to round out a four-person hitting staff. They also have designated Vinny Lopez as outfield and base running instructor, which is also part of first base coach Dave Macias’ job.

Despite some apparent repetition of job titles and roles, Stammen’s staff appears to be a team approach to instruction and managing. This reflects his own statements after his hiring. He acknowledged that he will employ more experienced personnel around him to make sure all the needs of the team are covered.

The Padres re-signed RHP Omar Cruz to a minor league contract. The 26-year-old had been part of the major league roster last season but was waived at the end of the year. The signing allows him to remain with the organization and could involve a Spring Training invite as well as providing needed pitching depth.

RHP Justin Yeager was signed to a minor league deal. Yeager is a reliever formerly with the Brewers organization and is 27 years old. He played at the end of 2025 at the Triple-AAA level.

RHP Albieris Polanco was signed to a minor league deal. The 19-year-old is an international free agent from the Dominican Republic.

Catcher Blake Hunt was re-signed by the Padres to a minor league contract. Hunt was drafted by the Padres in 2017 as a second rounder. He was part of the deal for Blake Snell and since 2021 has bounced around with multiple organizations, becoming a free agent in November of this year and signing with the Padres on Dec. 16.

RHP Nathanael Jacinto signed a minor league deal on Dec. 12. The 20-year-old Dominican Republic native was an international free agent.

Mason Miller named to Team USA

Padres reliever and presumed closer, Mason Miller, was named to Team USA for the WBC tournament. He becomes the first Padre named to the USA team and follows Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Xander Bogaerts as Padres leaving the team during Spring Training to compete in the WBC. It will be his first opportunity to pitch for Team USA and he joins a loaded USA team.