The Padres have already handed Adrian Morejon a one-year qualifying offer worth $23.15 million, but that may only be the opening move in what looks like a real free-agency chase.
Morejon, a starter-turned-reliever who made the All-Star team in 2025 and served as Mason Miller’s setup man this season, is drawing attention from around the league as San Diego’s offseason questions pile up. The Padres’ bullpen piece is now one of the more interesting names to watch, especially with the possibility that he wants a major payday.
Several outlets have already projected that Morejon will leave in free agency, though that would not be because the Padres are unwilling to bring him back. Two of those predictions pointed him to the Chicago Cubs, while Perry landed on the New York Yankees as his destination.
The fit makes some sense on both sides. There has been speculation about whether Morejon could return to starting, and that is part of the appeal for both Chicago and New York. The Cubs, though, have a more immediate need in their rotation.
Perry went a step further, saying he “expects” the Yankees to pay whatever it takes to get Morejon. That kind of bidding power could be tough for San Diego to match, even if the situation around Petco Park changes with new owners in the mix.
Morejon’s name was also tied to Yankees rumors at this year’s trade deadline in a deal that was expected to bring Will Warren to San Diego, but that never got beyond the rumor stage.
Now the decision sits with Morejon. He has until Nov. 17 to accept or decline the qualifying offer before free agency opens up. The one-year deal is a hefty payday, but it also comes with a clear tradeoff: take nearly $24 million for one season, or test the market for a multi-year contract that could pay less annually while locking in bigger money over the long haul.
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The unusual split only adds to the intrigue, because Tatis is now up against a deep field of contenders at both spots and could put himself in Padres record territory if he comes away with one or both awards. For a player whose value has always sparked debate, the nomination underscores how much his versatility has mattered to San Diego this season. The only question left is whether the voters will reward him in one role, both, or leave the Padres waiting to see how the final tally shakes out. [Read more 🡒]