San Diego Padres right-handed reliever Robert Suarez is the team's projected closer in 2024 with Josh Hader and Nick Martinez leaving via free agency. Suarez will automatically have more fantasy appeal in a closing role, but he didn't help his stock much during a 2023 campaign that saw him deal with injury and ineffectiveness while also serving a 10-game suspension for using sticky stuff. Left-hander Yuki Matsui lacks height and experience in the United States, but he should immediately slot in as an option for high-leverage innings in San Diego and could push Suarez for save chances if he outperforms him in the back end of the Friars' bullpen. The 32-year-old hard-throwing Suarez didn't have a single save in 2023 while posting a 4.23 ERA (4.48 FIP) and 0.90 WHIP while striking out 24 and walking 10 in 27 2/3 innings pitched in his second MLB season.

The San Diego Padres would like to keep outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr.'s Platinum Glove in right field in 2024, but they haven't ruled out the possibility of moving him over to center field after trading both Juan Soto and Trent Grisham to the New York Yankees this offseason. Most of the potential outfield trade candidates are limited to a corner outfield spot, and the free-agent center field market is a wasteland of options. Although the 24-year-old hit .225 with nine home runs and 15 steals in the second half of the season, he managed to stay healthy all year and played 141 games after serving a 20-game suspension to begin the year. It might be optimistic to expect him to return to his pre-PED form, but Tatis is better than his second half would suggest and offers fantasy managers plenty of upside offensively.

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (elbow) is recovering from right-elbow extensor tendon repair surgery in early October and might not be ready to play defense by late March. It means that Machado might have to serve as the team's primary designated hitter to open the 2024 regular season. If that's the case, Gold Glover Ha-Seong Kim would be the likely replacement as the regular third baseman at the hot corner until Machado can return to play defense. Despite playing most of the year with his elbow injury, the 31-year-old six-time All-Star hit .258/.319/.462 with 30 home runs, 91 RBI and 75 runs scored in 601 plate appearances over 138 games played. There's a little more risk on Machado because of the fact that he might not be ready for Opening Day, but when healthy, he should continue to be one of the most consistent producers in fantasy at the hot corner.

San Diego Padres catcher Luis Campusano is poised to take over as the team's primary catcher in 2024. However, the 25-year-old backstop needs to stay healthy after being limited to 49 games in 2023. Campusano had an .847 OPS in his 49 games. No other Padres catcher has had an .800 OPS over at least 80 games since Nick Hundley in 2011. Kyle Higashioka, who was acquired from the New York Yankees in the Juan Soto trade, could take some pressure off of Campusano by catching around 70 games. Campusano doesn't offer much defensively, but he has offensive upside in fantasy after clubbing seven home runs, driving in 30 and scoring 27 runs while hitting .319/.356/.491 in 174 plate appearances.

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was arrested in the Dominican Republic on Monday for no-showing at his meeting last Thursday with the prosecutor who is investigating him for alleged relationships with underaged girls, according to sources. The arrest was because Franco did not show up to his summons and not because there has been any type of progress in the investigation against him. The 22-year-old is also being investigated by Major League Baseball and could be given a lengthy suspension for the 2024 season, clouding his fantasy appeal for the upcoming campaign. Franco didn't play for the Rays after Aug. 12 due to the accusations against him. When he's on the field, he's one of the best fantasy and real-life shortstops in the game. Franco slashed .281/.344/.475 with an .819 OPS, 17 home runs, 58 RBI, 30 stolen bases and 65 runs scored in 442 at-bats in 2023.