5 Free Agents San Diego Padres Must Target In 2015-16 MLB Offseason

By Nick Vorholt

Five Free Agents the Padres Need To Sign Now

San Diego Padres Dugout — Last offseason the San Diego Padres had the look of a team going all in. They kept that going throughout the season despite the fact that the team was clearly missing something. They moved a few players at the deadline and have a few free agents. Here are five free agents the Padres must sign to overtake the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West.

5. Brandon Morrow -- San Diego Padres

Brandon Morrow San Diego Padres

5. Brandon Morrow -- San Diego Padres

Brandon Morrow San Diego Padres — Brandon Morrow has had trouble staying healthy. When he was healthy early in the year, Morrow was one of the Padres' top starters. They need to bring him back as the fifth starter and hope he stays healthy.

4. Franklin Gutierrez -- Seattle Mariners

Franklin Gutierrez Seattle Mariners

4. Franklin Gutierrez -- Seattle Mariners

Franklin Gutierrez Seattle Mariners — Questions abound in the Padres outfield. Will Justin Upton be back? Can Matt Kemp and Wil Myers both stay healthy? They need someone who can either take over center or at least provide a right-handed bat off of the bench. Franklin Gutierrez is a plus outfielder at all three positions and will keep the pressure off of “Melvin” Upton.

3. Hisashi Iwakuma -- Seattle Mariners

Hisashi Iwakuma Seattle Mariners

3. Hisashi Iwakuma -- Seattle Mariners

Hisashi Iwakuma Seattle Mariners — The San Diego Padres rotation heading into next season will include James Shields, Andrew Cashner and Tyson Ross. That is a decent rotation. The Padres need one more veteran to get over the hump and Hisashi Iwakuma looks good playing in San Diego.

2. Joe Beimel -- Seattle Mariners

Joe Beimel Seattle Mariners

2. Joe Beimel -- Seattle Mariners

Joe Beimel Seattle Mariners — The Padres bullpen is pretty good. Being anchored by Joaquin Benoit and Craig Kimbrel doesn’t hurt. Much like the rotation, the bullpen needs another veteran, specifically a left handed specialist. Joe Beimel is both those things.

1. Justin Upton -- San Diego Padres

Jusitn Upton San Diego Padres

1. Justin Upton -- San Diego Padres

Justin Upton San Diego Padres — Nearly every move last offseason was made to make Justin Upton happy. They were offered king’s ransoms for him at the deadline, but decided to keep him. Now they need to re-sign him to make it all worthwhile. if Upton doesn't come back, the Padres will be buried under the contracts of Kemp and Justin's brother, Melvin. With those two contracts it will be virtually impossible to continue to rebuild this team into contention without Justin.

Nick Vorholt is a writer for www.RantSports.com covering the Cincinnati Reds and National League.

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