Padres' Bullpen Depth Turning Heads - and Creating Questions
There’s no shortage of buzz around the San Diego Padres’ bullpen heading into the 2026 season - and for good reason. Even after losing All-Star closer Robert Suarez to free agency, the Padres still boast what many around the league consider the best relief corps in baseball. That’s not hyperbole - it’s the result of smart roster construction, internal development, and a few key arms stepping into bigger roles.
The name drawing the most attention? Mason Miller.
The electric right-hander is expected to take over the closer duties, and if his late-season flashes were any indication, he’s more than ready for the spotlight. Miller brings elite velocity and swing-and-miss stuff that could anchor the back end of this bullpen for years to come.
But it’s not just Miller. Adrian Morejon and Jeremiah Estrada are back in the fold, both bringing high-leverage experience and the kind of stuff that keeps hitters guessing.
And while Jason Adam is still working his way back from a ruptured quadriceps tendon, the expectation is that he’ll return in time to make a real impact. When healthy, Adam has been one of the more underrated late-inning arms in the game.
The wild part? The Padres might have too much bullpen depth.
That’s a problem most teams would love to have, but it does create some tough decisions. With only about six bullpen spots realistically up for grabs, nearly triple that number of pitchers are jockeying for a place on the Opening Day roster.
It’s a crowded room - and one that’s going to make for a fascinating spring.
Padres Rotation Battle Heating Up
While the bullpen looks locked and loaded, the rotation still has one spot up for grabs. Four pitchers are reportedly in the mix for that fifth starter role: JP Sears, Matt Waldon, Triston McKenzie, and Marco Gonzales. Each brings something different to the table - Sears with his command and poise, Waldon as a rising arm with upside, McKenzie with his strikeout potential, and Gonzales offering veteran savvy.
It’s a classic spring training battle, and it’s one that could go down to the wire. The Padres have leaned on rotation depth in recent years, and with the way the modern game demands innings from multiple sources, having this kind of competition is exactly what they need heading into a long season.
Preller’s Future in San Diego
A major storyline this offseason has been the future of A.J. Preller, the Padres’ president of baseball operations and general manager.
Preller met with the media recently and addressed the ongoing talks about a potential contract extension. His stance?
He wants to stay in San Diego and believes a deal will get done. In his words: “We’re either going to do it or not.”
Preller has been the architect of some bold moves over the past several seasons, and while the results have been mixed, there’s no denying his aggressive approach has kept San Diego in the national conversation. Whether ownership sees him as the long-term steward of the franchise will be one of the key off-field decisions in 2026.
Around the League
The Padres have seen some potential free-agent targets come off the board - names like Justin Verlander, Chris Bassitt, and Miles Mikolas have all signed elsewhere. But there are still arms available at various price points, and the front office could make a move if the fit is right.
Elsewhere in the league, MLB is rolling out the ABS Challenge System across all games this season. The system, which allows hitters and pitchers to challenge ball-strike calls using automated technology, is expected to bring a new wrinkle to in-game strategy. It’s a big step in MLB’s ongoing effort to modernize the game while preserving its competitive integrity.
And in a notable roster move, the Philadelphia Phillies released outfielder Nick Castellanos. While the Phillies will eat the remaining $20 million on his contract, Castellanos is now free to sign with any team for the league minimum. He’s a bat with pop, and someone is likely to take a flier on him sooner rather than later.
Final Thoughts
The Padres enter 2026 with one of the deepest bullpens in baseball and a rotation still being shaped. With A.J.
Preller’s future still being ironed out and a few roster spots up for grabs, San Diego’s spring training is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing in the league. The talent is there - now it’s about putting the pieces in place.