Padres Face Rotation Questions, Catching Depth, and a Big Contract Under the Microscope
The San Diego Padres’ pitching situation heading into 2026 has been a hot topic all offseason - and for good reason. The club’s rotation depth is in flux, and now two intriguing names are being floated as possible reinforcements from within the bullpen: Mason Miller and Adrián Morejón.
Both Miller and Morejón came into the league as starters before shifting to relief roles, where they've flashed serious upside. We're talking high-velocity stuff, swing-and-miss potential, and the kind of mound presence that can lock down late innings. But now, with the Padres potentially needing to stretch out their rotation, there’s growing chatter about whether either of them could transition back to a starter’s workload.
That’s no small shift. Moving a reliever back into the rotation isn’t just about adding innings - it’s about durability, pitch mix, and conditioning.
Miller’s electric fastball and Morejón’s left-handed versatility give them the tools, but the question is whether they can maintain that dominance over five or six innings instead of just one or two. And if one (or both) make the jump, what happens to the bullpen?
That’s a unit that, even with some bright spots, can’t afford to lose elite arms without a plan in place.
Ethan Salas Leads a Catching Group Worth Watching
As the Padres gear up for Spring Training, fans are starting to zero in on the farm system - especially the catching depth. And all eyes are on Ethan Salas, the organization’s top prospect and one of the most talked-about young catchers in baseball.
Salas is expected to be among the group of catchers invited to camp, and while he’s still young, there’s legitimate buzz about how quickly he could rise. He’s got the tools - strong defensive instincts, a mature approach at the plate, and the kind of presence behind the dish that’s rare for his age. While he may not break camp with the big-league club, his trajectory is something Padres fans should be keeping a close eye on.
Xander Bogaerts and the Weight of Expectations
When the Padres signed Xander Bogaerts, the expectations were sky-high. After all, he brought championship pedigree from Boston and was seen as a key piece in San Diego’s push for a World Series. But now, less than two years into the deal, Bogaerts’ contract is being mentioned among the least team-friendly in baseball.
It’s not that Bogaerts has been bad - but when you’re handed a big-ticket deal, the bar is set accordingly. The production hasn’t quite matched the paycheck so far, and that’s raised questions about how the Padres will manage their payroll going forward, especially with other stars on the roster and more decisions looming.
Around the League: Mets Land Devin Williams, Schwarber's Market Heats Up
In New York, the Mets made a major bullpen splash by signing free-agent closer Devin Williams to a three-year, $51 million deal. Williams, known for his devastating changeup and elite strikeout numbers, gives the Mets a legitimate late-inning weapon - and potentially signals the end of the Edwin Díaz era in Queens.
While the door isn’t completely closed on Díaz returning, Williams gives the Mets the kind of insurance they desperately needed after a rocky 2025 season in the bullpen. The team had also been linked to former Padres closer Robert Suarez, but Williams was clearly the priority.
Meanwhile, Kyle Schwarber is one of the biggest bats still on the market, and while the expectation is that he’ll return to the Phillies, that’s not a lock. The slugger’s market is reportedly heating up, and there’s at least one NL East rival making a push to lure him away from Philadelphia. Wherever he lands, Schwarber brings instant impact - a middle-of-the-order bat with postseason pedigree and game-changing power.
CBA Talks Looming Large
Looking further ahead, the 2027 expiration of MLB’s current collective bargaining agreement is starting to cast a shadow over the league. Labor negotiations are quietly gaining steam, and while no one wants to talk about a work stoppage just yet, fans and teams alike are bracing for what could be a tense couple of years.
The next CBA will shape everything from player salaries to roster structure to the way young players are developed and promoted. It’s a storyline that could define the next era of baseball - and one that’s already starting to take shape behind the scenes.
The Padres have plenty of questions to answer as the 2026 season approaches - from who rounds out the rotation, to how their top prospects develop, to whether their big contracts pay off. And with the rest of the league making moves and the labor landscape shifting, it’s clear this offseason is about more than just roster tweaks. It’s about setting the tone for what comes next.