The San Diego Padres’ final roster decisions are still days away, but the opt-out clauses of two veterans provide the Padres with some early decision-making. Today, starter Walker Buehler and infielder Ty France both have to make the 40-man roster or risk losing to another team.
Buehler and France both signed minor league contracts this offseason and both have opt-out clauses in their contracts due to their length of service. Those terms take effect at different points in the season, and if they’re not on a major league roster, they can become free agents again. The pair first opted out on March 21.
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Intense competition and injuries
While it’s clear Buehler is safely in the rotation after his past two starts, France isn’t as assured. After it was discovered that versatile player Sung-Mun Song was not healthy enough to start the season with the Padres, he developed a strong competition with Jose Miranda.
With France on the roster, Miranda could be sent to Triple-A, with his first opt-out not until later in the season (June 1). Difficulties will arise as Song prepares to leave IL. The Frenchman can only be drafted with his consent, otherwise he can become a free agent again and sign with any team.
This is France’s return to the team that drafted and developed him through its system. He made his major league debut in 2019 and was traded before the deadline of the 2020 pandemic season. He has played for the Seattle Mariners, Cincinnati Reds, Minnesota Twins and late last season with the Toronto Blue Jays. He won a Gold Glove at first base last season and played in the World Series.
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Walker Buehler back to health
Buehler has shown he can pitch with a reduced-velocity fastball after his second Tommy John surgery. He has a seven-pitch combination and a four-seam fastball that tops out at 94 mph. In his three starts, he had a 3.09 ERA with four walks, 13 strikeouts, and no homers.
He said in interviews that the pain in his elbow went away before spring camp began, allowing him to throw sweepers again and improve his other off-speed products. He admitted his fastball will never reach the velocity it once did, but he can still be an effective starter without it.
While Joe Musgrove continues rehab from Tommy John surgery in Illinois, Buehler will occupy the fourth spot in the rotation while other pitchers continue to compete for the final spot.
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Head coach Craig Staman challenged starter Randy Vasquez to establish his spot in the rotation at the start of training camp, but that seemed to be settled early when Vasquez showed he maintained the velocity gains he made late last season and was more disciplined in his outings this spring.
Buehler joined Michael King, Nick Pivetta, Randy Wax and eventually Joe Musgrove as part of the original five-man rotation. If Marquez, a German, wins the last available spot, the Padres will face another roster dilemma since Marquez has a major league contract that cannot be optioned without his consent. So does Buehler, a veteran.
Padres head coach Craig Staman commented on the organization’s decision to place both players on the roster during his morning media conference.
