Sheets to Start at 1B as Padres Rework DH Mix

With Luis Arraez departing for the Giants on a one-year deal, Gavin Sheets is positioned to take San Diego’s first-base job in 2026. He hit .252/.317/.429 with 19 homers in 145 games last season, but his outfield defense was poor; a move back to first could boost his value and help enable a more flexible DH mix. The Padres are weighing a platoon partner for Sheets and have added options like Sung-Mun Song and Will Wagner for the DH role, potentially resting regulars such as Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts. Meanwhile, GM AJ Preller’s contract extension remains unsettled amid reported tensions with club leadership, even as he has steered the team through a successful run in recent years.