The Padres need to add more power this offseason, plain and simple. How can they do that?

Much was made about the Padres’ lack of slug this past season. They ranked 22nd in slugging as a team and 28th in home runs. And guess what- it cost them dearly in the Wild Card Series against the Cubs. The Padres offered little threat to Chicago. They allowed just six runs in three games, yet lost the series because their offense had no punch.

Now with San Diego left to pick up the pieces and deal with a long winter ahead (which includes finding a new manager), it’s time for the team to address its power outage.

Let’s dive into three options the Padres could look into to add power to their lineup. A disclaimer to this is that they do not have unlimited funds. Players like Kyle Schwarber and Kyle Tucker are likely outside their price range.

Plus, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a free agent. Let’s discuss.

Option #1- Sign Josh Naylor

This makes sense for a whole host of reasons. First, he’s a former Padre whom A.J. Preller traded for with Miami back in 2016. He also plays first base, a giant position of need in San Diego with Luis Arraez headed out the door. He won’t break the bank in the same way Schwarber or Tucker will, but he won’t be cheap either. He’s just 28 years old with 51 home runs in the past two seasons combined.

Naylor is actually still playing baseball, having been traded from the Guardians to the Seattle Mariners for their playoff run. This season, he posted an .816 OPS with 20 homers and 92 RBI between Cleveland and Seattle. He isn’t just a power hitter either, as he batted .295, ranking seventh in the American League at season’s end. The Canadian native isn’t precisely a Gold Glove-caliber defender at first base, but this piece is about power, not defense. He also excels at avoiding strikeouts, ranking in the 91st percentile for strikeout rate.

Given his price point, history with the team, and providing power at a position of need, Naylor makes a lot of sense.

Option #2- Trade for Brandon Lowe

Technically, Lowe could become a free agent this winter. The Rays have an $11.5-million club option for Lowe’s services in 2026. After hitting 31 home runs, why wouldn’t they?

Lowe and Jake Cronenworth are both left-handed-hitting second basemen. However, Lowe played some first base this season and has 23 games of MLB experience there overall. If the Padres were to swing a deal for him, they likely would move him there full-time. The Virginia native absolutely mashes right-handed pitching, with an .873 OPS last season against righties. In case you think his numbers are a product of Tampa playing in a Spring Training venue all season, you would be wrong. He actually had a better OPS on the road (.837) than at “home” (.735).

He has 73 home runs combined in the last three seasons.

There is a power-hitting first base option for under $12 million staring the Padres right in the face. If the Rays somehow don’t pick up his option, the Padres should also pounce.

Option #3- Trade for Yandy Diaz

If you want Tampa’s right-handed version of Lowe, you can get Diaz. Diaz is fresh off a career-high 25 homers for Tampa, with a stellar .848 OPS and 136 OPS+. Like Lowe, Diaz also has a club option for 2026, at $12 million. Tampa has already opted into it.

So basically, it’s take your pick for San Diego. Which roughly $12 million power-hitting first baseman from the Rays do they prefer?

Diaz hits the cover off the ball, shown by his 94th percentile hard hit rate. With his 25-homer power and 3.4-WAR capabilities at first base, he would be a massive boost to the Padres’ lineup. If the Padres don’t feel comfortable with him defensively at first base, he would make an excellent DH, as he did at times in Tampa.

Nick Lee

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.