The Padres have a tough task ahead of them this offseason if they plan to fill their needs through the free-agent market.

This year's class, which became available at 9 p.m. Monday, is sorely lacking depth, and the Padres need two outfielders, two pitchers, potentially a second baseman and perhaps another relief pitcher.

While the Alex Rodriguezes of the world are available for a hefty price tag - general manager Kevin Towers said the Padres can't afford him - this year's free-agent class has few quality starting pitchers and only one or two big bats.

As it is, the Padres stand to lose center fielder Mike Cameron and left fielder Milton Bradley, both of whom are free agents. Their remaining outfield starter, Brian Giles, is coming off knee surgery.

The Padres do appear to be heavily interested in Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome.

"We've been on him a long time," Towers said last month.

The 30-year-old Fukudome, who is coming off elbow surgery, is a two-time Central League hitting champion who Towers attempted to acquire out of high school in 1996. Fukudome held a press conference on Monday in which he said he wasn't sure if he would leave Japan.

But Fukudome would easily get a bigger deal in the United States than the reported $20-million, four-year deal that Yahoo! Japan reported he was offered to stay home. Unlike when the Boston Red Sox signed Daisuke Matsuzaka last offseason, major league teams won't have to pay a posting fee to negotiate with Fukudome.

The Padres might also offer a loaded one-year deal to Atlanta's Andruw Jones. The 30-year-old Jones saw his average slip to .222 in 2007 with 26 homers and 94 RBIs, and he might garner a bigger contract if he rebounded next season.

Another possibility, Philadelphia's Aaron Rowand is likely too expensive. Baltimore's Corey Patterson could provide an inexpensive alternative.

Other potential targets could include Milwaukee's Geoff Jenkins, who would give the Padres the left-handed corner outfielder they desire. Or, assuming the stars aligned right, the Padres could take a run at Barry Bonds, whom they attempted to sign before 2007.

While the Padres already have Jake Peavy, Chris Young and Greg Maddux signed for next season, Towers said he's looking for two more proven arms.

The top yields of the free-agent class will likely be Minnesota's Carlos Silva (55-46, 4.19 lifetime ERA) and Philadelphia's Kyle Lohse (63-74, 4.82). But don't expect the Padres to compete for either, as both will likely earn $10 million a year over three to four years.

The club would rather take chances on Bartolo Colon and Matt Clement, both proven commodities who were injured in 2007.

Perhaps the most intriguing spot for the Padres is at second base. Towers and the club have said they are set to go with internal options, which include Matt Antonelli, waiver claim Luis Rodriguez and either Oscar Robles or Craig Stansberry.

However, the second base-class has several good options, including two players who would bring the Padres much-needed speed.

The Mets' Luis Castillo, who earned $5.75 million last year, would be the most expensive option, but he has a lifetime .368 on-base percentage and 325 steals. The Padres have also been rumored to be in the hunt for Colorado's Kaz Matsui (32 steals in 2007), Philadelphia's Tadahito Iguchi and former Padre Mark Loretta - all of whom could provide the club with a solid No. 2 hitter and give Antonelli more time in the minors.

- Contact staff writer Dan Hayes at dhayes@nctimes.com.