Padres' Free Agent Reportedly Drawing Interest From NL Central Squad

The San Diego Padres' offseason has been more quiet than in recent years. 

The Padres' payroll reportedly jumped from $104 million in 2018 to $253 million in 2023. Ever since the San Diego Union-Tribune reported the team planned to cut payroll to "around $200 million" going into 2024, in part to comply with MLB's debt-service rule, the cuts have been swift and sharp.

Star outfielder Juan Soto was traded to the New York Yankees, and multiple starting pitchers from the 2023 staff were not retained in free agency. Who will be the next to go? 

It looks like it could be first baseman Garrett Cooper, whom the Padres acquired at last year's trade deadline from the Miami Marlins.

Like most free agents, Cooper's market has been relatively quiet, but looks to be gaining some steam. FanSided's Robert Murray linked Cooper with the Milwaukee Brewers.

"As FanSided reported last week, the Brewers have had conversations with free-agent first baseman Carlos Santana. Another option the team has also considered is free agent Garrett Cooper, sources say."

— Robert Murray of FanSided

Cooper played 41 games for the Padres after the trade deadline, hitting .239 with four home runs and 15 runs batted in. Prior to the trade, Cooper hit .256 with 13 home runs and 46 runs batted in over 82 games with Miami.

The 33-year-old from Southern California never found his footing with San Diego, but did provide some depth down the stretch. The front office hoped Cooper could make a difference in the wild-card race; at 82-80 the Padres fell one game short of a postseason berth.

The majority of the Padres' lineup struggled last season, so it wasn't a surprise to see Cooper partake as well. The hope for any team potentially going after him is that he will revert to his All-Star form from years past.

From 2019-22, Cooper slashed .274/.350/.444 with the Marlins — a 115 OPS+.