Manny Machado recently conveyed his disappointment regarding the San Diego Padres' lack of significant moves during the offseason following the departures of key players such as Ha-Seong Kim and Tanner Scott. In comments made on Saturday, Machado acknowledged the team's overall sentiment, stating, 'Are we disappointed we haven't made any moves? Yeah.' He expressed a sense of disappointment that several core players from the previous seasons have transitioned to other teams.

The Padres were actively pursuing star Japanese free agent Rōki Sasaki this offseason, positioning themselves as a frontrunner for his services. However, Sasaki ultimately chose to sign with the divisional rival Los Angeles Dodgers. Additionally, Kim's signing with the Tampa Bay Rays and Jurickson Profar's decision to join the Atlanta Braves further contributed to the team’s roster upheaval. This turnover may be influenced by the ongoing legal disputes surrounding the Padres' ownership, particularly following the passing of late owner Peter Seidler in 2023.

Player agent Scott Boras cited these ownership issues in discussions with the media, indicating that they may have played a role in the franchise's decision-making process, including the trade of Juan Soto. Profar also referenced the ownership situation when explaining his own move to the Rays. As for Sasaki's decision to join the Dodgers, his agent mentioned the same legal concerns. After a competitive 2024 postseason, where the Padres came within one win of eliminating the Dodgers, the team's current silence in the free agent market, coupled with the Dodgers' acquisitions of both Sasaki and Scott, has made the Padres' path to contending for the division title even more challenging.