About this episode

The episode discusses the Padres' upcoming road trip, ownership updates, and features an interview with former All-Star closer Heath Bell.

As the Padres get set to embark on a pivotal road trip that will shape A.J. Preller's approach at the trade deadline, we finally have an update on the new ownership group. Kind of? Darren Smith and Marty Caswell jump into what stood out from the All-Star game, the continued speculation around Mason Miller and what Rob Manfred had to say about the pending ownership group. The two discuss what "business as usual" under the current ownership group means for spending money and adding anything significant ahead of the trade deadline.  Marty and Darren then break down Manny Machado's comments on what kind of job Craig Stammen has done in the first half of the season before welcoming in former Padres All-Star closer Heath Bell. Bell weighs in on Stammen learning on the job and the mistakes he's made that's cost the team. Would the Padres be a better team had they hired an experienced manager? Bell says yes, and says the real issue lies with Preller's track record of hiring managers. Do the Padres have enough to really make a run in the second half? The trio discuss what kind of moves the Friars realistically could make, and Bell details what it was like when he was dealing…

People in this episode

Hosts: Darren Smith, Marty Caswell

Guest: Heath Bell

Topics covered

• Padres road trip
• ownership update
• trade deadline
• managerial decisions
• Manny Machado
• Heath Bell insights

Keywords

• Padres
• Heath Bell
• trade deadline
• Manny Machado
• Craig Stammen
• ownership group
• All-Star game

Sponsors

SeatGeek

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Padres, MLB, Foul Territory Network

More episodes of Friar Territory: a San Diego Padres podcast

• Padres stumbling on big road trip, Mason Miller rumors heat up · July 21, 2026 · 32 min
• State of the Padres farm system, John Conniff talks trade chips · July 14, 2026 · 39 min
• Are the Padres better than a .500 team? AJ Preller's deadline dilemma · July 13, 2026 · 36 min
• The Padres need drastic changes, Kyle Glaser joins the show · July 10, 2026 · 29 min
• Jackson Merrill says Padres best is ahead, should Friars buy or sell? · July 8, 2026 · 32 min
• Reeling Padres face possible final meaningful homestand · July 6, 2026 · 34 min

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