On Friar, A San Diego Sportswrap Podcast

The Padres had a successful week to build some momentum heading into what should be their most difficult month of the season.  The On Friar Podcast hosts break down the looming gauntlet and discuss the health of the pitching staff … including the chances it will soon include Pirates ace Paul Skenes, who is suddenly the subject of trade rumors because of social media.

The Padres just had one of their worst weeks in a long time. Back-to-back sweeps, which included one of the ugliest performances you'll see. Gavin Sheets nearly saved them against the Jays. Manny hasn't looked like himself and Tatis looks defeated. Luis Arraez is confusing. The guys discuss the damage, wonder about shaking up the lineup and are getting worried about Yu Darvish.

After a surprising stumble on Monday the Padres showed resilience with a couple big swings leading to a series win over the Halos. Fernando Tatis Jr. continues to have a special season. Xander Bogaerts has had big moments, even if the numbers leave something to be desired. Manny Machado is in a groove. Jackson Merrill is doing everything. And Yu Darvish is getting closer! Heidi Watney joins Derek for her thoughts on the club.

A series of plot twists resulted in a lost series in New York. Jackson Merrill hit the ground running in his return. Unfortunately the bullpen faltered the last two nights in New York. Derek and Darnay discuss the highs and lows against the Yankees. Fernando Tatis Jr.is slumping for the first time in 2025, and he's searching for answers. Dylan Cease went from no-hit bid to an injury exit. And Jake Cronenworth is on his way back.

After a breath of fresh air in the form of a two-game sweep of San Francisco, Darnay catches up with Greg Garcia to get his thoughts on the club's stellar start. Arraez and Heyward are back, and it sounds like Jackson Merrill isn't far behind. Is this the best version of Fernando Tatis Jr.? Fans are glad the Padres won't see Paul Skenes, would players agree? And Mike Shildt's relentless positivity continues to pay off. Garcia shows love for his former skipper, discusses sign stealing and the living between the bigs and Triple-A.

The Padres have dropped back-to-back series for the first time this season. But, there’s no need for alarm. The On Friar Podcast host puts the current subpar stretch in context and explains why this could actually be a sign of great things to come for the Padres.

It's early, but the San Diego Padres are the best team in baseball? We'll see what stands out about the club's first few weeks with friend of the pod, John Conniff of MadFriars. Jackson Merrill's scorching start is slowed by injury. The club's depth is already on display with contributions from guys who started the year in El Paso. What will happen with Campy after his hot start? Speaking of the minors - John will give us the lowdown on who's where and what to watch for from the affiliates. And what is going on with Leo De Vries?

The Padres got out of Sacramento with a series win. But some injury concerns will follow them back to Petco Park? Mike Shildt said Jake Cronenworth and Fernando Tatis Jr. are moving in the right direction. Hard not to worry about Tatis, right? Plus, Merrill's balky hamstring. Bogaerts is doing some good things. Robert Suarez is a stud. The 2025 Padres look a lot like the 2024 Padres. Highs and lows from the first road trip of the season with a sneaky important week ahead.

The San Diego Padres have had a perfect week. Still undefeated, how far can they take this? Plus, breaking down Jackson Merrill's 9-year, $135 million deal. And what is up with the torpedo bats? We'll talk to a Padre outfielder who has used them before.

A big inning and a comeback win, where have we heard this before? Gavin Sheets woke up Petco Park and the Padres' lineup in an Opening Day win that felt like something we saw a lot of in 2024. Darnay and Todd recap game one. Todd lets us know what the guys had to say in the clubhouse. Jackson Merrill is still awesome. Tatis and Manny are menaces on the base path. Michael King wasn't sharp, but the team found a way.

It's almost here. Unfortunately there was a bit of concerning news in the leadup to Opening Day. Yu Darvish might not be ready for the start of the season. So who will take his spot in the rotation? What players are making the strongest final push for roster spots? How will the bullpen mix shake out? The guys share their biggest questions for the 2025 Padres.

After months of uncertainty there's clarity atop the Padres - at least for now. Derek and Darnay discuss John Seidler's ascent to club Chairman. Gavin Sheets went on a heater. How do we expect the Opening Day roster to take shape? With injuries around the league could Dylan Cease be on the move? And what on earth is happening at catcher?

After spending some time with the Padres in Peoria Marty Caswell joins Darnay to share her impressions on the 2025 club. Who has the best chance to make a splash for this year's team? Marty caught up with Ruben Niebla - who has a leg up for the final spot in the rotation? What kind of years should we expect from Manny and Tatis? If Marty had one question for John Seidler what would it be? And is it safe to expect the good vibes from Mike Shildt's first season to carry over?

Derek is back from Peoria and Cactus League games are going full swing. Manny wasted no time going yard, Salas and De Vries showed flashes, Tatis is under the weather, and some exciting young players have impressed. The guys discuss what we've seen. Derek shares his takeaways from an eventful few days in Arizona.

Day one of Padres Spring Training ended with a surprise - they have money to spend! A.J. Preller added a key piece to the rotation with the addition of Nick Pivetta. Sammy Levitt joins to discuss the righty and what he brings to the table. Will he be the next arm to benefit from Ruben Niebla's genius? Will they keep Dylan Cease and go for it in 2025? They have left fielders now too! But A.J. isn't done! Sammy shares his early impressions from Peoria.

Thursday morning brought an important piece of housekeeping. John Seidler was approved by MLB owners as the Padres control person. A mere formality or should we take more from the unanimous vote? Will anything change from how the team operated in the past year? How was FanFest? Derek was there and shares his thoughts. What's the national outlook on the Padres? And big roster questions remains as Spring Training approaches.

The Padres offseason has been almost disconcertingly quiet but now the rumor mill is churning for what might be all the wrong reasons. What gives? What's happening next? And does any of it matter with what the Dodgers have done? Ben Fletcher joins Derek Togerson to discuss it all.

So are they ever going to do anything? The guys turn to MLB Network's Jon Morosi in search of answers. The Padres missed out on Roki Sasaki. Are moves finally on the horizon? Morosi shares his thoughts on a stagnant winter, the ownership power struggle. Last time he joined us he gave an optimistic outlook heading into 2024. We need him to do that again. They guys recorded a few hours before the Profar-Braves news broke. 

The Roki Sasaki dream is dashed. The Dodgers added a top reliever and former Padre in Tanner Scott. And the Padres remain mostly quiet. Darren Smith joins Darnay to discuss the challenging path forward for A.J. Preller. Is it time to sell off parts and rebuild? Can they keep everyone in place for another run in 2025? The Dodgers' big offseason has been a source of frustration, but where should our ire really be directed? And how does the uncertainty in 2025 compare to how we were feeling about the Padres a year ago?

The wait continues! Roki Sasaki's window to sign opened Wednesday morning, and we have heard little to nothing in the day and a half since. Derek and Darnay weigh in on the ongoing sweepstakes. Will it go all the way to January 23? Plus, the Padres landed a catcher. Has the market for Jurickson Profar gotten any clearer? And will they go to arbitration with Michael King?