Free Agents:

• Kevin Correia
• David Eckstein
• Miguel Tejada
• Jerry Hairston Jr.
• Matt Stairs

Correia and Eckstein are type B free agents. If the Padres offer them arbitration and they sign with another team, we will receive a supplemental draft pick and the signing team would not lose a pick. On the other hand, Miguel Tejada is a type A free agent. If the Padres offer him arbitration and he signs with another team, we will receive that team’s top pick and a supplemental pick in between the first and second round.

• Adrian Gonzalez 5.5 million
• Chris Young 8.5 million
• Yorvit Torrealba 4 million
• Jon Garland 6.75 million

Adrian Gonzalez’ option will be exercised while Chris Young’s option will not. Torrealba and Garland have mutual options that should be exercised by the Padres. Both players could decline and test their hands in free agency. If they decline their player options and the Padres offer them arbitration, the team will receive a supplemental pick for Torrealba and Garland who are both type B free agents.

Arbitration Eligible:

First time:

• Tony Gwynn Jr.
• Edward Mujica
• Tim Stauffer

Second time:

• Mike Adams

Third time:

• Heath Bell
• Ryan Ludwick
• Scott Hairston

Hairston will most likely be non-tendered (not offered a contract). Bell and Ludwick could get something in the 6-8 million range.

Rotation:

Mat Latos, Clayton Richard, and Tim Stauffer should all be in the rotation next year. Jon Garland may be coming back as well. The rotation could be filled out with starters, such as Cory Luebke, Wade LeBlanc, Simon Castro, Cesar Ramos, Radhames Liz, Will Inman, a player acquired through trade, or a free agent.

Bullpen:

The bullpen will stay intact for next year, and we have plenty of depth on the farm. How about another lefty in the bullpen?

Infield:

Jeff Moorad said that Adrian Gonzalez will not be traded before the beginning of next season. Second base is a question mark with David Eckstein and Jerry Hairston Jr. becoming free agents. There isn’t anyone on the farm that we can count on to take over at second base. Lance Zawadzki had a disappointing year while Drew Cumberland and Matt Antonelli were riddled with injuries. Cabrera struggled this year and lost playing time due to injury and Miguel Tejada. Cabrera is still young and has plenty of potential. Chase Headley also had a very disappointing season. Will the Padres look to upgrade third base or short stop? How about re-signing Tejada?

Outfield:

Ryan Ludwick seems to be the only person guaranteed a spot in the outfield next year. That is assuming the Padres want to keep him and pay the price for his last year of arbitration. The rest of the outfield can be filled with players like Will Venable, Chris Denorfia, Aaron Cunningham, Willy Mo Pena, Luis Durango, Tony Gwynn Jr., a player acquired through trade, or a free agent.

Bench:

Jerry Hairston Jr., Yorvit Torrealba, and Matt Stairs are free agents, and were a big part of our success this year. All three deserve a contract offer for next season. Oscar Salazar is under team control for next year and some of the outfielders mentioned above should round out the bench.

What should the Padres do this offseason?  Should they blow it up and trade Bell, Gonzalez, and Ludwick for prospects, or try to compete again next year?