With Spring Training fast approaching and Opening Day just two months out, the San Diego Padres still have some unfinished business when it comes to their starting rotation. The top of the staff looks solid-Joe Musgrove is back and joins Nick Pivetta and Michael King to form a capable trio. But with Yu Darvish sidelined for the entire 2026 season, the back end of the rotation is far from settled.
That leaves two open spots, and while internal options like Randy Vásquez and Jhony Brito could fill the void, there’s a strong sense that A.J. Preller isn’t done shopping.
Vásquez, who posted career-best numbers last season, has the look of a potential fifth starter. Brito, still working his way back from injury, could also factor in.
If both make the cut, that would mean three-fifths of the Padres’ rotation came from the Juan Soto trade with the Yankees-an interesting wrinkle as San Diego continues to reshape its roster post-Soto.
Still, it’s clear the Padres are eyeing external reinforcements. They reportedly had interest in Freddy Peralta before the Mets swooped in.
They also checked in on MacKenzie Gore, who ended up heading to Texas in a prospect-heavy deal. The takeaway?
Preller is actively working the phones, and the Padres are very much in the market for another arm.
Enter Max Scherzer.
Yes, he’s 41. And yes, his 2025 season with the Blue Jays was a rough one-he posted a career-worst 5.19 ERA while battling injuries and inconsistency.
But if you zoom out, Scherzer’s track record remains one of the most reliable in the game. He’s put up a sub-4.01 ERA in 17 of the last 18 seasons.
That kind of consistency doesn’t just disappear overnight.
And when it mattered most, Scherzer showed he still had something left in the tank. In Game 7 of the World Series, he delivered 4.1 innings of one-run ball-vintage Mad Max when the stakes were highest. That postseason performance reminded everyone why he’s a two-time World Series champ and a future Hall of Famer.
So the question becomes: is Scherzer the right fit for San Diego, and at what price?
Reports suggest Scherzer is in no rush to sign. He’s waiting for the right situation-one that offers a chance at a deep playoff run.
That’s where the Padres come in. San Diego may not be the odds-on favorite in the National League, but they’ve got a competitive roster, a revamped pitching staff, and a front office that’s clearly still in go-for-it mode.
Financially, the stars could align. A one-year deal in the $10-15 million range is reportedly what it would take to land Scherzer. That’s a manageable number for the Padres, especially if they view him as the missing piece in a playoff-caliber rotation.
And let’s not overlook the potential impact of Ruben Niebla. San Diego’s pitching coach has a strong track record of getting the best out of his arms. A veteran like Scherzer, with his elite pitch IQ and competitive fire, could thrive under Niebla’s guidance-especially if he’s slotted into a mid-to-back-end role where he’s not expected to carry the load.
A rotation of Musgrove, Pivetta, King, Scherzer, and Vásquez? That’s a group with depth, upside, and postseason experience. It might not scare off the Dodgers just yet, but it would certainly elevate the Padres into the upper tier of NL rotations.
At the end of the day, San Diego knows it needs another reliable arm to keep pace in a loaded NL West. Whether it’s Scherzer or another veteran, don’t be surprised if Preller makes one more move before the season gets rolling. The window is still open-and the Padres are acting like a team that knows it.