The Padres have spent years shaping their roster around bullpen power, so it makes sense that Trevor Megill would land on their radar if Milwaukee is willing to entertain trade talks. If the Brewers decide to move their closer, San Diego should be near the front of the line.
Megill is heading into the final season of his contract at 33, which gives Milwaukee a clear reason to at least hear out offers. He was outstanding in 2026, putting up a 2.63 ERA, a 0.89 WHIP and 30 saves in 63 appearances. He also struck out 69 batters in 61⅔ innings.
The production carried into October. Megill logged a 2.00 ERA with 11 strikeouts over nine postseason innings, the kind of late-inning work that can swing a playoff series. For a Padres club built to chase wins in October, that kind of ninth-inning security carries obvious appeal.
He also comes at a manageable price for a reliever of his caliber. Megill avoided arbitration at $4.7 million in 2026, and his salary is expected to climb in 2027 through arbitration.
Still, the clock is ticking. With only one year left before free agency, this would be a short-term move rather than a permanent answer at closer, and his age brings the usual reliever risk.
A sensible Padres package would center on pitching depth and a young infielder. This is a hypothetical proposal, not a reported offer or an agreement between the clubs.
The more advanced piece is Musgrove, a 24-year-old right-hander and seventh-round pick in 2023 who came back from Tommy John surgery and finished 2026 at Double-A San Antonio. Across two levels, he posted a 3.41 ERA with 68 strikeouts in 34⅓ innings and three saves. He struck out 42.8 percent of the batters he faced and held hitters to a .195 average.
His work at Double-A was even stronger, as he finished with a 2.93 ERA in 15 appearances. He is listed as the Padres’ No. 7 prospect on one local list, and his profile makes him a logical trade chip: a hard-throwing reliever who could be exposed in the Rule 5 draft.
Quintana brings a different kind of upside. The 19-year-old switch-hitting shortstop, listed as the Padres’ No. 11 prospect, stands 6-foot-2 and hit .234/.328/.367 with nine home runs and 29 stolen bases at Single-A Lake Elsinore.
The numbers are only part of the appeal. At 19, holding his own against older competition matters, and Milwaukee would be getting a long-term development piece. His 28.2 percent strikeout rate also shows there is still plenty of refinement ahead.
Put together, the two-player package gives the Brewers a near-MLB reliever and a high-upside infielder without forcing San Diego to dip into the very top of its system. The Padres’ top prospect, catcher Ethan Salas, has already reached the majors.
There is a limit to how far this should go, though. Megill has just one year of control left, and relievers can swing wildly from one season to the next. Musgrove and Quintana both carry real value, so adding a third prospect would be too much for a 33-year-old closer.
Milwaukee also has every reason to hold firm. The Brewers just won the World Series, and with internal bullpen options available, they do not have to move Megill. If they do listen, they will want a return that matches the value of a reliever at his level.
That is what makes this kind of deal a ceiling for San Diego. If the Brewers say yes, the Padres get a high-leverage arm for 2027 without sacrificing their best assets. If Milwaukee wants more, San Diego can step back and keep searching for bullpen help elsewhere.
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