After reaching the postseason in three of their last four seasons -- with their second season in a row of at least 90 wins, a total they had not reached since 2010 — but failing to reach what would be only the third World Series since the franchise began as an expansion team in 1969, the San Diego Padres are at a crossroads.

They have already lost two pitchers from their starting rotation. Dylan Cease left to sign with the Toronto Blue Jays as a free agent, and an elbow injury for Yu Darvish will keep him out until 2027. San Diego needs pitching perhaps more than anything else, and that does not always mean acquiring front-line starters. Organizational depth can be just as important.

The Padres made just such a depth acquisition this week when, in a signing announced Monday on minor

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