By @VisualTejeda – FriarPulse

Published January 15, 2026 — 2:35 PM (PST) — Carlsbad, California

Today we’re diving into a quiet but meaningful day on the Padres transaction wire.

On January 15, 2026, the San Diego Padres made a wave of minor-league signings. No splashy headlines, no blockbuster names — but these moves still matter. This is how organizations build depth, protect prospects, and prepare for the long season ahead.

All January 15, 2026 Transactions (One by One)

1) RHP Yoel Duarte — Signed to a minor league contract

This is a classic pitching-depth move. The Padres are adding a right-handed arm who can eat innings in the minors, likely at Double-A or Triple-A. These signings become important later in the season when injuries hit and the organization needs reliable arms to keep things stable.

2) LHP Joel Gonzalez — Signed to a minor league contract

Left-handed pitching depth is always valuable. Even if this is not an immediate big-league piece, adding a lefty gives the system matchup options in the bullpen and protects the organization if the upper-level affiliates get thin.

3) SS Timothy Mogen — Signed to a minor league contract

Shortstop depth is never an accident. The Padres are adding middle-infield coverage to keep their affiliates running smoothly. This type of signing helps avoid rushing younger players and keeps the infield defense steady across the system.

4) OF Ricardo De La Paz — Signed to a minor league contract

This move adds outfield depth and flexibility. These players help fill lineups at the upper levels and can become emergency options if injuries pile up. It’s also the type of signing that creates real competition once spring training starts.

5) SS Antoni Duran — Signed to a minor league contract

Another shortstop adds redundancy by design. Teams want multiple options at premium defensive positions, especially shortstop. Depth like this prevents the organization from scrambling if someone gets hurt or promoted.

6) RHP Edward Bonifacio — Signed to a minor league contract

This is bullpen inventory. The Padres are stacking right-handed options to handle innings across Double-A and Triple-A. It’s not flashy, but organizations survive seasons by having enough arms to cover the workload.

7) LHP Rickelby Ramos — Signed to a minor league contract

Yet another left-handed arm — and that’s not a coincidence. Lefties can become very useful very quickly, especially in matchup roles. This gives the Padres another option to develop and evaluate throughout the year.

8) SS Joniel Hernandez — Signed to a minor league contract

If there’s a name to keep an eye on from this list, it’s Hernandez. Any time you see a shortstop signing with athletic upside, it’s worth watching how the organization uses him. The Padres clearly want more options up the middle, and this is one of the more interesting adds on the day.

9) RHP Jeferson Ogando — Signed to a minor league contract

This looks like a “tools” pitching add — a right-hander the Padres can try to develop, fine-tune, and see if there’s something that pops. These are the kind of arms that sometimes show up mid-season as bullpen reinforcements if things click.

10) RHP Jordan Perez — Signed to a minor league contract

This is another stabilizing depth move. Whether he ends up as rotation coverage, long relief, or a flexible innings option, the purpose is simple: keep the system strong and avoid being short-handed when the season starts to grind.

11) OF Rafael Moran — Signed to a minor league contract

This adds more outfield coverage and lineup support in the minors. It’s the type of signing that can quietly matter a lot when injuries happen or when the organization needs someone ready to step in and play.

What These Moves Really Tell Us

These transactions weren’t about making headlines. They were about building a stronger pipeline.

• Pitching depth: The Padres added multiple arms because innings disappear fast over a long season.
• Shortstop insurance: Three shortstops in one day tells you the organization is protecting the most important defensive spot.
• Outfield coverage: Extra outfielders keep affiliates stable and create competition heading into camp.

This is how a franchise stays prepared. The big names get the attention, but depth is what keeps teams afloat when the season gets messy.

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