​SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 06: (L-R) Manager Craig Stammen, Fernando Tatis Jr. #23, Jackson Merrill #3, Manny Machado #13, and Ty France #25 of the San Diego Padres stand for the singing of the national anthem prior to game three of the National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers at Petco Park on October 06, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images The San Diego Padres have long been the team that cannot sustain — at least that is what is espoused throughout the baseball media industry. It can be frustrating at times to hear other teams lauded for their approach to roster construction, free agency, the trade deadline, etc. and as soon as the Padres make a similar move, they are chastised. San Diego heads to the offseason after another disappointing postseason exit and once again the baseball world has come out to say the Padres missed an opportunity and that their window to reach the precipice of the sport is closing. Critics point to an aging roster — which it is — and a barren farm system that could not possibly fetch anything of significance on the trade market. Worse yet, the Padres will surely face financial ruin if they add a single dollar to their payroll. Of course, then there are the calls for Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado or Jackson Merrill to be traded away to a team like the New York Yankees, New York Mets of Philadelphia Phillies. None of those things need to happen but the baseball pundits and fans of the opposing teams like to dream of plucking the stars from the “little team that couldn’t” in America’s Finest City.This is all to say, leading up to and after the lockout has come and gone, Padres fans can and should expect the same old narratives to come from every corner of the baseball media landscape. The only way they will change is if new owners Kwanza Jones and Jose E. Feliciano backup their words with investments in the team that will allow them to reach the postseason for a fourth consecutive year. Padres News:Thomas Conroy of Gaslamp Ball gives his thoughts on what comes next for Padres.MLB sends new proposal to MLBPA which recommends shortened season and changes to postseason.Lincoln Zdunich of Gaslamp Ballidentifies Padres free agents and which ones San Diego should look to re-sign in the offseason.Michael King is open to returning to Padres if he opts out of his current contract.Baseball News:Gavin Williams will start for the Cleveland Guardians and Sean Burke gets the start for the Chicago White Sox in Game 5.Yoshinobu Yamamoto will go for Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2.