Padres Offseason Check-In: Quiet Market, Under-the-Radar Depth Moves

By @VisualTejeda – FriarPulse

Published November 30, 2025 — 10:24 PM (PST) — Carlsbad, California

A Slow Offseason in San Diego

While other clubs have already flashed some headline moves, the Padres have kept things relatively low-key so far. No massive free-agent splashes, no earth-shaking trades — just steady, under-the-radar work.

That doesn’t mean the front office is asleep; it usually means they’re being deliberate. Instead of forcing a move in November, they’re adding depth, protecting flexibility, and setting up internal competition heading into Spring Training.

RHP Sean Boyle: The Grinder Looking for a Breakthrough

Right-hander Sean Boyle, 29, comes over on a minor-league deal after spending seven seasons in the Yankees’ system. He’s the classic “grinder” arm — not a top-of-the-list prospect, but a guy who has logged real innings and knows how to compete.

Drafted by the Yankees in the 25th round of the 2017 MLB Draft.
Career in the minors: solid ERA over a large sample of games and starts, showing durability and consistency.
Most recently worked at Triple-A, where he handled a full starter’s workload and missed bats at a respectable clip.

Boyle isn’t coming in crowned as a rotation savior, but that’s not the point. His job is to stabilize organizational pitching depth — the kind of arm you can call on when injuries hit, doubleheaders pop up, or you need a spot start.

Multiple reliable transaction trackers have reported that Boyle’s minor-league contract with San Diego is expected to include an invitation to Major League Spring Training as a non-roster invitee. The Padres have not yet released their official 2026 NRI list, so it isn’t formally posted by the club, but all signs point to Boyle being in big-league camp to compete for a look.

If he shoves in Peoria — fills up the zone, keeps the ball in the yard, and shows he can eat innings — he could position himself as one of the first arms in line for a call-up during the 2026 season.

OF Carlos Rodríguez: Speed, Defense, and Left-Handed Depth

On the position-player side, the Padres added outfielder Carlos Rodríguez on a minor-league deal — and this one comes with something more concrete: a confirmed invitation to Major League Spring Training, per CBS Sports and other transaction outlets.

24-year-old left-handed hitter from Venezuela.
Can handle all three outfield spots: center, left, and right.
Profile built around speed, range on defense, and contact-oriented hitting.

In recent seasons across Double-A and Triple-A, Rodríguez has shown he can put the ball in play, get on base at a respectable clip, and impact the game with his legs — including a healthy total of stolen bases. He’s not a big power threat, but he fits the mold of a versatile fourth outfielder who can come off the bench, cover late-inning defense, and swipe a bag when you need it.

For a Padres club that can always use more left-handed outfield depth, speed, and defensive flexibility, Rodríguez is exactly the type of non-roster invitee who can make things interesting in camp. If he puts pressure on pitchers, covers ground in the gaps, and shows good at-bats, he could force his way into the conversation for an in-season call-up.

Why These “Small” Moves Matter

On the surface, these signings won’t melt Twitter or crash MLB Trade Rumors. But this is how good organizations quietly build a safety net under the 26-man roster:

Depth on the mound: Boyle gives the Padres another experienced starter-type arm who can cover innings at Triple-A and potentially spot-start in the bigs.
Speed and defense on the grass: Rodríguez offers left-handed, multi-position outfield coverage with the ability to change games on the bases.
Spring competition: Both players deepen the pool of guys fighting for roles. That kind of competition is healthy for a roster that still has questions to answer.
Low risk, potential reward: Minor-league deals with NRIs cost almost nothing in the big picture but can become huge if even one player hits.

So yeah — it’s been a quiet offseason so far in San Diego. No giant press conferences, no massive new contracts. But under the surface, the Padres are lining up arms and athletes who might be called on when the season inevitably tests their depth.

What’s Next?

As we move closer to Spring Training, the big question for Padres fans is whether this front office is setting up for one or two targeted impact moves, or whether 2026 will be about internal growth, depth, and smarter roster construction rather than star-chasing.

Either way, keep an eye on names like Sean Boyle and Carlos Rodríguez when camp opens. These are the kinds of players who don’t show up on billboards but end up taking the ball in July or patrolling the outfield in a key September game.

Thanks for reading, Padres fans. Stay sharp, stay faithful, and I’ll catch you right here next time on FriarPulse.