The Padres’ rotation is still a work in progress, and as spring training looms, San Diego remains firmly in the market for back-end starters. President of Baseball Operations A.J. Preller has acknowledged the need, but filling every hole in the rotation was never going to be easy-especially with financial constraints hanging over the club.
So far, the Padres have made a couple of notable moves. They re-signed Michael King to a three-year, $75 million deal, locking in one of their more promising arms.
King is expected to lead the rotation alongside Nick Pivetta, who also figures prominently in the team’s plans. That gives San Diego two solid options at the top.
Add in the anticipated return of Joe Musgrove-who missed all of 2025 recovering from Tommy John surgery-and the front end of the rotation is starting to take shape.
But that still leaves two open spots. And with camp right around the corner, the clock is ticking.
The challenge? The Padres are already $24.6 million over the luxury tax threshold.
That’s a tough place to be for a team trying to patch holes without adding significant payroll. To get under the line, they’d likely need to shed salary-Jake Cronenworth’s deal is one potential candidate for a trade.
But even if they don’t make a major move, the reality is this: San Diego’s remaining additions are going to have to be budget-conscious.
That means we’re likely looking at short-term, low-risk deals-possibly a one-year "prove-it" contract for a veteran trying to bounce back. One name that’s been floated is Jordan Montgomery.
The left-hander hasn’t pitched since 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery, and his last full season wasn’t pretty: a 6.23 ERA over 117 innings while making $25 million. That’s not the kind of production you want at that price point, but the Padres wouldn’t be paying for the past-they’d be betting on a rebound.
At 33, Montgomery is at a crossroads. For a team like the Padres, who need innings and upside without blowing past the tax threshold, he could be worth a flier. There’s always risk with a pitcher coming off major surgery, but if he can regain even a fraction of his pre-injury form, he could offer real value at the back end of the rotation.
Preller has never been afraid to take calculated risks, and this offseason is shaping up to be another test of his creativity. With limited financial flexibility and a few more roster spots to fill, the next few weeks will be crucial in determining how competitive this Padres staff can be out of the gate.