Friar Territory: a San Diego Padres podcast

How spectacular has the 2026 World Baseball Classic been? Marty Caswell and Darren Smith are joined by Fox lead MLB studio host Kevin Burkhardt from Miami ahead of the finale between Team USA and Venezuela. T The trio discuss the incredible growth of the WBC, why superstars like Aaron Judge and Manny Machado feel the games have been more electric and meaningful than the World Series atmosphere, th...

Darren Smith and Marty Caswell discuss the latest news from Padres spring training, including reliever Bryan Hoeing having season-ending surgery and progress for Yuki Matsui, Matt Waldron and Sung-Mun Song. Joe Musgrove's chances of starting the season on the active roster remain highly unlikely ,with no clear timeline for when he'll throw next. What does this mean for Walker Buehler and German Ma...

Should the San Diego Padres be considered legitimate playoff contenders? Marty Caswell and Darren Smith are joined by the superb Tim Kurkjian, ESPN's long-time baseball guru and the latest addition to Foul Territory TV, alongside his son Jeff.  Tim discusses why he wasn't shocked by the Padres hiring first-time manager Craig Stammen, and how much the game has changed in the past decade. Ferna...

How concerned should the Padres be with Nick Pivetta's arm fatigue and what does it mean for his projected opening-day start? Darren Smith and Marty Caswell discuss the latest news from Padres spring training, an update on Sung-Mun Song, infield options if he's not ready for opening day and when Yuki Matsui is expected to pitch again. The duo break down Craig Stammen's comments on competition for...

How encouraging was Joe Musgrove's first start since having Tommy John surgery? Darren Smith and Marty Caswell discuss an important outing for Musgrove after a long grind back from the injured list.  How different should we feel about Jurickson Profar's All-Star season for the Padres in 2024 after he was hit with an 162-game suspension for PED's? Again! Darren and Marty discuss his popularity...

The Padres camp and lineup is dramatically different with their biggest stars, Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Mason Miller headed to the World Baseball Classic. Darren Smith and Marty Caswell discuss the biggest storylines of the weekend, including bad news on Bryan Hoeing and Joe Musgrove's pending return versus Great Britain. What kind of outcome is A.J. Preller hoping for and what would...

Michael King was impressive in his Cactus League debut but do the Padres spring training stats really matter?  Darren Smith and Marty Caswell discuss why spring stats only matter for certain players, and confidence in the Padres rotation after a reassuring outing for King.  The more we talk about Fernando Tatis batting cleanup, the crazier that idea actually sounds. Darren breaks down wh...

Why are the Padres contemplating batting Fernando Tatis Jr. cleanup behind Manny Machado? Marty Caswell and Darren Smith discuss Craig Stammen's eye-opening comments on the lineup changes, what it means for Jackson Merrill, Xander Bogaerts and Manny Machado moving forward. What else has stood out from a weekend of Cactus League games? If Nick Castellanos was looking for another chip to add to his...

Darren Smith officially joins Marty Caswell as the new co-host of Friar Territory! The duo break down what Padres chairman John Seidler said about the sale of the team and why he vows the next owner won't move the team out of San Diego. A little more than a year after having Tommy-John surgery, Padres ace Joe Musgrove joins the show to detail his painful rehab process back, how he stayed focused d...

Marty Caswell and Darren Smith discuss Nick Castellanos signing with the Padres after an unceremonious exit with the Phillies. What was Manny Machado's reaction? We hear from Manny on his excitement for his fellow 305 friend and the clear message he sent the Padres on AJ Preller's lack of a contract extension.  Preller discusses what kind of role they envision for Castellanos, and why he felt...

Marty Caswell and Heath Bell discuss the latest comments from AJ Preller on why his contract extension has been delayed and if the pending sale has had an impact.  How does infielder Sung-Mun Song fit the team? We hear from manager Craig Stammen on how the Padres plan to acclimate him to the infield plus, and the biggest adjustments he has to make playing multiple positions.  How did Man...

Darren Smith joins Friar Territory host Marty Caswell to discuss San Diego Padres manager Craig Stammen speaking at the start of Spring Training today. The duo dive into how the team can right the ship in 2026, AJ Preller's future and one question to ask MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred. Get 10 free meals and a FREE Zwilling Knife (a $144.99 value) on your third box at HelloFresh.com/FT10FM . Offer va...

Is the Padres current roster better than it was a year ago at this time? Former Padres reliever Heath Bell says yes. Heath and Marty Caswell break down the extremely talented outfield and why Luis Campusano may finally get his biggest chance under Craig Stammen.  Will Miguel Andujar end up being AJ Preller's biggest off-season acquistion, and how does he fit the team?  But the biggest st...

The Athletic's Keith Law joins Marty Caswell to break down the San Diego Padres farm system - ranked last by The Athletic. The duo dives into Ethan Salas' 2026 progression after injuries last season, and discuss the other key prospects left in the system. The Athletics' Leo De Vries may add more salt to the wound for Padres fans. Friar Territory is the official San Diego Padres podcast in the Foul...

The San Diego Padres signed veteran left-hander Marco Gonzales to a minor league deal as they continue to make interesting signings on the margins. Marty Caswell, Heath Bell and Kyle Glaser break down Gonzales' signing and how he could help, discuss why inaccurate Fernando Tatis Jr. trade rumors won't go away, and analyze if anything should be read into Nick Pivetta not having a bobblehead this ye...

Yu Darvish's future with the San Diego Padres remains unresolved after he refuted a report that he was retiring. Marty Caswell and Kyle Glaser break down the latest on Darvish, including why retirement is still his most likely outcome, his impact on the Padres clubhouse and why he'll still be a part of the organization regardless of whether he remains active. Plus, Randy Jones' Celebration of Life...

Ethan Salas is the lone Padres prospect who made Baseball America's Top 100 Prospects list. Marty Caswell and Kyle Glaser break down Salas' ranking and what he needs to show in 2026, if any other Padres prospects deserved to be ranked the Top 100, and why having only one Top 100 Prospect isn't a reflection on the Padres scouting and player development groups. Plus, a look at Nick Pivetta's trade m...

Spring training games begin in just over a month and the San Diego Padres still have major question marks. Marty Caswell and Kyle Glaser break down the latest, including why Randy Vasquez and J.P. Sears may actually be ok as the Nos. 4 and 5 starters, how Sung Mun Song's oblique injury affects his Opening Day roster chances, and the Padres' reported pursuit of Nolan Arenado in a trade before he we...

Bud Black is back with the San Diego Padres as a special advisor to baseball operations. The former Padres manager joins Marty Caswell and Kyle Glaser to discuss why he decided to return to the organization, the status of his relationship with A.J. Preller, and what lessons he plans to impact to Craig Stammen as a pitcher making the transition to managing. Friar Territory is the official San Diego...

The San Diego Padres remain at least one starting pitchers short and need to clear salary. Kyle Glaser and Marty Caswell break down the best potential trade fits, including the Royals for Jake Cronenworth, the Mets for Nick Pivetta and why Jeremiah Estrada might actually be their best trade chip. Get 10 free meals and a FREE Zwilling Knife (a $144.99 value) on your third box at HelloFresh.com/FT10...

Spring training is a little over a month away and the San Diego Padres still have plenty of unanswered questions. Marty Caswell and Kyle Glaser break down the Padres offseason so far, including whether the club deserves an Incomplete grade, how much A.J. Preller's lack of a contract extension really matters, and why some under-the-radar minor league signings are worth giving them credit for. Plus,...

The New Year has arrived and the San Diego Padres have a big year ahead. Marty Caswell and Kyle Glaser discuss the keys to watch for the franchise this year, including if Fernando Tatis Jr. can return to peak form, A.J. Preller's contract situation and resolving ownership as soon as possible. Plus, a look at the starting pitching market and this year's Hall of Fame voting. Friar Territory is the o...

The final Friar Territory of 2025 is here. Kyle Glaser and Heath Bell look ahead to 2026 and detail the top five New Year's Resolutions for the San Diego Padres, including Craig Stammen sending a critical message in spring training, avoiding poor signings like Yuli Gurriel and Jason Heyward, and finding a way to add Kazuma Okamoto before his signing deadline on Jan. 4. Friar Territory is the offic...

Kyle Glaser and Marty Caswell are back with another holiday mailbag. They discuss whether the Padres should target veteran pitchers like Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander in free agency, how much longer Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts will be able to stay at their positions, and if Mason Miller still could become a starter at some point.  Friar Territory is the official San Diego Padres podcast...

The San Diego Padres have been busy the last few days, with more moves sure to come. Kyle Glaser and Marty Caswell answer fans' questions about the team's offseason plans and outlook for 2026, including if Luis Campusano's playing time will increase with Mike Shildt no longer managing, whether Gavin Sheets or Jake Cronenworth are more likely to be the Padres' first baseman on Opening Day, and what...