Padres’ Pitching Puzzle: Can A.J. Preller Pull Off Another Rotation Rebuild Before Opening Day?
If there’s one thing A.J. Preller has made a habit of, it’s finding ways to patch together a starting rotation when the odds are stacked against him.
Over the last few seasons, the Padres’ general manager has pulled off a string of creative moves to keep the rotation afloat - from trading for Sean Manaea in 2022, to signing Michael Wacha in 2023, to acquiring Michael King and Dylan Cease in 2024, and bringing in Nick Pivetta last year. Each time, he’s managed to plug the gaps, often with limited resources and a ticking clock.
But here we are again. It’s February, and once more, the Padres are staring down a familiar problem: a thin rotation and not many clear solutions. Only this time, the options are fewer, the budget’s tighter, and the clock is louder.
San Diego missed out on two veteran arms in recent days - Chris Bassitt landed in Baltimore and Justin Verlander chose to return to Detroit. That leaves Preller with limited external options and a rotation depth chart that, according to FanGraphs, ranks 26th in the league based on projected WAR. That’s dangerously close to the bottom, alongside teams like the Cardinals, White Sox, Nationals, and Rockies - not exactly the company you want to keep if you’re planning to contend in 2026.
So what’s left for the Padres? Let’s take a look at three names that could still be on their radar - from low-cost innings eaters to a potential splash that would shake up the market.
Patrick Corbin: The Veteran Workhorse
If the Padres are looking for durability, Patrick Corbin checks the box. The 36-year-old lefty isn’t going to light up radar guns or headline any fantasy baseball drafts, but what he brings is consistency - and that’s something San Diego desperately needs.
Corbin made 30 starts for the Rangers in 2025, finishing with a 4.40 ERA and 131 strikeouts. His 1.36 WHIP and peripheral numbers suggest he was about league average, but in a rotation that’s currently paper-thin, average is more than acceptable.
Since 2017 (excluding the pandemic-shortened 2020 season), Corbin has hit the 30-start mark every year. That kind of reliability - taking the ball every fifth day - is invaluable over a 162-game grind. He’s not a frontline guy anymore, but he’s the type of arm that keeps your bullpen from burning out by May.
If the Padres can land Corbin on a team-friendly deal, he could slot in as a back-end starter and give them the kind of innings they’re sorely lacking right now.
Zack Littell: The Underrated Mid-Rotation Option
Zack Littell’s career arc has been anything but conventional. After bouncing around the league as a reliever, he found new life as a starter after a 2023 trade to Tampa Bay. Since then, he’s quietly put together a solid track record in the rotation.
In 2025, Littell split time between the Rays and Reds, posting a 3.81 ERA - the best of his career - and continuing to show he can be a dependable arm every fifth day. He hasn’t posted an ERA over 4.00 since making the switch to starting, and his ability to adapt and compete in multiple roles gives him added value.
At 30 years old, Littell would likely cost more than Corbin, but he also offers more upside. He’s younger, has fewer miles on the arm, and could be a stabilizing presence in the middle of the rotation.
For a Padres team trying to ease Joe Musgrove back from Tommy John surgery, Littell could be a smart addition. He wouldn’t need to carry the staff, but he could take pressure off Musgrove and give the team some much-needed breathing room in the early months of the season.
If Preller can structure a deal similar to the one he gave Nick Pivetta - perhaps with some creative incentives or opt-outs - Littell could be a savvy pickup that pays off well beyond 2026.
Zac Gallen: The Long Shot That Could Change Everything
Now here’s the dream scenario - and yes, it’s a long shot. Zac Gallen, the former Diamondbacks ace who helped lead Arizona to the World Series in 2023, is technically available. And while his 2025 numbers (4.83 ERA, 1.26 WHIP) don’t scream “ace,” the underlying metrics suggest he’s still got the stuff that made him a Cy Young contender just a few years ago.
Gallen’s market is reportedly heating up, and there’s buzz that he’d prefer a return to Arizona. But if there’s one GM who’s never afraid to take a swing, it’s Preller. The Padres would likely need to clear payroll and get creative with a short-term, high-AAV offer - potentially something with opt-outs that gives Gallen flexibility and upside.
Is it likely? Not really.
But is it impossible? Not with Preller.
If San Diego could somehow land Gallen, it would immediately shift the narrative around their rotation. He’d give them a legitimate No. 1, a tone-setter who could anchor the staff and take pressure off everyone else. It would also signal to the rest of the league - and to the Padres clubhouse - that this team isn’t backing down from contention in 2026.
The Clock Is Ticking
No matter which direction the Padres go - value signings like Corbin, mid-tier options like Littell, or a blockbuster like Gallen - one thing is clear: they need starting pitching, and they need it fast.
The bullpen can only carry so much of the load. Without starters who can consistently get through five or six innings, even the best relief corps will wear down by midseason. That’s not a formula for October baseball - that’s a recipe for burnout.
Preller’s track record suggests he’ll find a way. But with Opening Day creeping closer and the rotation still looking incomplete, the margin for error is getting smaller by the day. Whether it’s a familiar vet, an under-the-radar arm, or a headline-grabbing ace, the Padres need reinforcements - and soon.