Major League Baseball

San Diego Padres: B-

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 7:25 p.m. ET

Sports Illustrated

Preliminary Grade (Jan. 13): C+

Key moves since preliminary grade: Signed SS Erick Aybar and OF Collin Cowgill; signed 1B Wil Myers to a contract extension

Shortstop has been the bane of general manager A.J. Preller's existence since he took over the Padres in 2014, and while Aybar is coming off a dismal season, signing him to a minor league deal to see if there’s anything left and to provide an alternative to Luis Sardinas isn’t a bad move. More important is the six-year, $83 million extension the club gave to All-Star first baseman Myers, which gives San Diego an affordable centerpiece while it goes through another lean phase.