On the eve of the full squad reporting to spring training in 2018, the Padres agreed to terms with Eric Hosmer on what was at the time the largest contract in team history.

Last year, on the day after the first full-squad workout, Manny Machado agreed to terms on another record-breaking deal.

No seismic move rocked the first official day of Padres spring training Tuesday. But something big might not be far away.

General Manager A.J. Preller, motivated by his own fatigue from losing and with a clear mandate from above to win more this season, is interested in adding a player (or players) he believes can truly vault the Padres into contention in a seemingly stacked National League.


“We’re realistic that we have to get a lot better,” Preller said Tuesday. “We know we have some talent, some ability, and we feel we have some depth. But I think we’re also realistic. The record is what it is in terms of last year. We understand we’ve got a lot of work in front of us if we’re going to move up the standings.”

On the front burner of Preller’s extended hot stove cooking is an enduring attempt to move Wil Myers. Sources said in the past two days that talks between the Padres and Boston Red Sox are ongoing, and a deal seems contingent on the Red Sox taking on around half of the $61 million owed Myers over the next three years. The Red Sox are interested in pitcher Cal Quantrill, as well as highly regarded prospects Luis Campusano and Gabriel Arias, though the Padres are unlikely to part with all three and other minor leaguers could be in the mix. Quantrill is considered a key component of the Red Sox’s interest.

1 / 51 San Diego Padres Fernando Tatis. Jr. signs autographs for Brandon Llantada, 6, and Cleighton Baccarelli, 7, from Rancho Peñasquitos after a spring training practice on Feb. 18, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 2 / 51 San Diego Padres Eric Hosmer signs an autograph for Colton Beccarelli, 7, from Rancho Peñasquitos after a spring training practice on Feb. 18, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 3 / 51 San Diego Padres Manny Machado signs autographs for after a Padres spring training practice on Feb. 18, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 4 / 51 San Diego Padres Fernando Tatis. Jr. runs the bases during a spring training practice on Feb. 18, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 5 / 51 San Diego Padres Fernando Tatis. Jr. laughs during a spring training practice on Feb. 18, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 6 / 51 San Diego Padres Tommy Pham, Manny Machado, Wil Myers and Eric Hosmer look on during a spring training practice on Feb. 18, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 7 / 51 San Diego Padres Manny Machado adjusts his shoes during a spring training practice on Feb. 18, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 8 / 51 San Diego Padres Fernando Tatis. Jr. looks on during a spring training practice on Feb. 18, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 9 / 51 San Diego Padres Will Myers runs bases during a spring training practice on Feb. 18, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 10 / 51 San Diego Padres Garrett Richards works out during a spring training practice on Feb. 18, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 11 / 51 San Diego Padres manager Jayce Tingler coached the first full squad spring training practice on Feb. 18, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 12 / 51 San Diego Padres Fernando Tatis. Jr. fields a ball during a spring training practice on Feb. 18, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 13 / 51 San Diego Padres Greg Garcia fields a ball during a spring training practice on Feb. 18, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 14 / 51 San Diego Padres Manny Machado fields a ball during a spring training practice on Feb. 18, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 15 / 51 San Diego Padres Jurickson Profar, Fernando Tatis. Jr., and Manny Machado walk to bat during a spring training practice on Feb. 18, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 16 / 51 San Diego Padres Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Jurickson Profar walk to bat during a spring training practice on Feb. 18, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 17 / 51 San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller looks on during a spring training practice on Feb. 18, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 18 / 51 San Diego Padres Manny Machado bats during a spring training practice on Feb. 18, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 19 / 51 San Diego Padres Wil Myers looks on during a spring training practice on Feb. 18, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 20 / 51 San Diego Padres Wil Myers bats during a spring training practice on Feb. 18, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 21 / 51 San Diego Padres manager Jayce Tingler pitches during a spring training practice on Feb. 18, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 22 / 51 San Diego Padres Manny Machado waits to bat during a spring training practice on Feb. 18, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 23 / 51 San Diego Padres Wil Myers waits to bat in the cages during a spring training practice on Feb. 18, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 24 / 51 San Diego Padres Manny Machado waits to bat during a spring training practice on Feb. 18, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 25 / 51 San Diego Padres Taylor Trammell shags a ball during a spring training practice on Feb. 18, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 26 / 51 San Diego Padres Cal Quantrill pitches during a spring training practice on Feb. 19, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 27 / 51 San Diego Padres Trey Wingenter pitches during a spring training practice on Feb. 19, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 28 / 51 San Diego Padres Chris Paddack pitches during a spring training practice on Feb. 19, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 29 / 51 San Diego Padres Jayce Tingler gives some instruction during a spring training practice on Feb. 19, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 30 / 51 San Diego Padres Joey Lucchesi pitches during a spring training practice on Feb. 19, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 31 / 51 San Diego Padres Fernando Tatis. Jr makes a play during a spring training practice on Feb. 19, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 32 / 51 San Diego Padres Joey Lucchesi, Drew Pomeranz, Chris Paddock and Dinelson Lament wait to pitch during a spring training practice on Feb. 19, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 33 / 51 San Diego Padres Joey Lucchesi, Drew Pomeranz, Chris Paddock and Dinelson Lament wait to pitch during a spring training practice on Feb. 19, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 34 / 51 San Diego Padres Manny Machado bats during a spring training practice on Feb. 19, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 35 / 51 San Diego Padres Chris Paddock walks to the mound during a spring training practice on Feb. 19, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 36 / 51 San Diego Padres Cal Quantrill pitches during a spring training practice on Feb. 19, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 37 / 51 San Diego Padres Fernando Tatis Jr. walks though a group of fans during a spring training practice on Feb. 19, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 38 / 51 San Diego Padres MacKenzie Gore pitches during a spring training practice on Feb. 19, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 39 / 51 San Diego Padres MacKenzie Gore pitches during a spring training practice on Feb. 19, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 40 / 51 San Diego Padres Drew Pomeranz pitches during a spring training practice on Feb. 20, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 41 / 51 San Diego Padres Joey Lucchesi pitches during a spring training practice on Feb. 20, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 42 / 51 San Diego Padres Dinelson Lamet pitches during a spring training practice on Feb. 20, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 43 / 51 San Diego Padres Franchy Cordero catches a fly ball during a spring training practice on Feb. 20, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 44 / 51 San Diego Padres Wil Myers, left, and Franchy Cordero wait for fly balls in right field during a spring training practice on Feb. 20, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 45 / 51 San Diego Padres Taylor Trammell bunts during a spring training practice on Feb. 20, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 46 / 51 San Diego Padres Franchy Cordero watches a fly ball during a spring training practice on Feb. 20, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 47 / 51 San Diego Padres players ride on a golf cart to a field during a spring training practice on Feb. 20, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 48 / 51 San Diego Padres Wil Myers bats during a spring training practice on Feb. 20, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 49 / 51 San Diego Padres Manny Machado waits to bat during a spring training practice on Feb. 20, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 50 / 51 San Diego Padres Dinelson Lamet pitches during a spring training practice on Feb. 20, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) 51 / 51 San Diego Padres Tommy Pham bats during a spring training practice on Feb. 20, 2020. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

It is unclear who the Padres would get in return from Boston, and the main purpose of a trade is characterized by sources as attaining the salary flexibility moving Myers would create. The Padres have long been willing to eat about half of Myers’ money, though they did ask the Red Sox to take on more in talks regarding Mookie Betts due to the size of Betts’ 2020 salary ($27 million). Betts was dealt to the Dodgers on Feb. 4.


The Padres appear to be centering their search for additional players on a difference-making outfielder and have long had interest in Cincinnati’s Nick Senzel.

Preller’s desire to land Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor is also ongoing, though there remains uncertainty among other teams how committed the Indians are to moving Lindor soon. Talks between the teams have yet to reach a point where the Padres consider a deal even remotely likely.

There is plenty of interest from other teams in the Padres’ surplus of relievers. Preller, per people familiar with his thinking, seems more likely than not to move one or more of them this spring.

However, other than the possible deal with the Red Sox involving Myers, one team source said the Padres are not close to consummating any trades and even conjectured it is more likely than not that the opening day roster consists of players currently in camp.

At his core, say people close to him, standing pat is not what Preller wants.


The Padres finished 70-92 in 2019, their ninth straight losing season.

“We’ve got a lot of work in front of us, being at the bottom part of the standings,” Preller said. “We have players in our clubhouse we really like. We have young players we think are going to build on their rookie seasons. We’ve got some other guys coming up through the system that are going to add to the group. But we know we’ve got a lot of work to do.”

There is potential for immediate improvement primarily in the acquisitions of Tommy Pham, Drew Pomeranz, Emilio Pagan, Trent Grisham and Zach Davies. Those players netted the Padres a 9.2 increase in WAR (wins above replacement) versus the cumulative 2019 WAR of the players the Padres lost.

But at least half of the 12 teams that finished ahead of them made upgrades this offseason that were arguably on par with the Padres’ additions.


“I think the National League in general over the course of the last four years, I think there has been a lot of money spent, a lot of talented players have ended up in the National League,” Preller said. “I think there is tremendous balance throughout the National League ... as much balance as I can remember in a league over the course of the last 15 years.”

That presents a challenge in a season in which Padres Executive Chairman Ron Fowler has said “heads will roll” if the Padres do not improve.

On Tuesday, Fowler put into definitive terms what the floor of that improvement would look like.

“I’d like to see us above .500,” Fowler said. “We’ve got to get there.”


General Partner Peter Seidler added: “We’re here to be one of the five teams in the National League that goes to the playoffs.”

Their highest-paid player opined on expectations Tuesday as well.

“We’re a couple moves away,” Machado said Tuesday before quickly qualifying his remarks with a profession of faith in the current Padres. “With the ballclub we have here from day one, I think we have a really good chance of competing and doing something special. As long as everyone here believes we can do things, the sky is the limit.


“I’m not a GM, so I really can’t say (which moves are necessary). But you can always make every team better. We’re still – there are other teams out there that got a lot better. But at the end of the day, we don’t care. We have to play the best baseball we possibly can.”

Preller has internally acknowledged the Padres need at least another strong bat for that to be enough to elevate them to being a true contender. His continued efforts to acquire that bat speaks even louder.