Padres Facing Offseason Puzzle Amid Rotation Uncertainty and Budget Constraints
The San Diego Padres are heading into another offseason with more questions than answers-and not a lot of financial wiggle room to solve them. With major holes in the starting rotation, the lineup, and the bench, President of Baseball Operations and GM A.J. Preller is once again tasked with pulling off a balancing act: filling key roster spots without breaking the bank.
The Padres’ rotation, once a strength, is now a patchwork in progress. Dylan Cease is gone, having signed with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Yu Darvish is sidelined after elbow surgery. And with Michael King expected to depart in free agency, San Diego is staring down the barrel of a thin pitching staff.
That means Preller will likely need to get creative-leaning on undervalued arms, bounce-back candidates, and perhaps some international options to rebuild the rotation.
One name that’s surfaced as a potential fit? Cody Ponce.
The right-hander has spent time overseas in the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) and is reportedly eyeing a return to Major League Baseball for 2026. He’s not a blockbuster signing, but for a team shopping on a budget, he fits the mold: experienced, affordable, and looking to prove himself stateside.
Around the League: Giants, Mets, Rays, and Red Sox All Making Moves-or Not
San Diego isn’t the only team navigating financial constraints or roster uncertainty. Across the league, front offices are playing their own version of offseason chess.
In San Francisco, there’s been chatter about the Giants being active in free agency-particularly when it comes to pitching. But that may not be the case after all.
Despite speculation linking them to Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai, reports suggest the Giants may be more conservative than expected. Whether that’s a calculated bluff or a true reflection of their offseason strategy remains to be seen, but don’t expect them to throw around money just for the sake of headlines.
Meanwhile, in New York, the situation between the Mets and Kodai Senga is one to watch. While there’s been talk of a strained relationship-at least from the team’s perspective-Senga himself has made it clear: he wants to stay in Queens. Whether that sentiment carries enough weight to keep him there is another story, but for now, the right-hander remains in the Mets’ plans.
Down in Tampa Bay, the Rays are doing what the Rays do-targeting undervalued pitching options who can provide solid innings without a hefty price tag. Two names linked to the club are Zach Eflin and Adrian Houser, both of whom fit the Rays’ mold of cost-effective, mid-rotation arms who can be molded into reliable contributors.
And then there’s Boston. The Red Sox are expected to be one of the more active teams this winter, and they’ve already made a splash by acquiring Sonny Gray from the Cardinals.
But while there’s buzz about the possibility of landing multiple marquee free agents, questions remain about whether Boston has the financial firepower to follow through. The intent is there-but the budget may not be.
What It All Means for the Padres
For Preller and the Padres, the path forward is clear-but not easy. With limited financial resources and multiple roster holes, this offseason will require a mix of savvy scouting, calculated risks, and maybe a little luck. Whether it’s a former KBO arm like Ponce or another under-the-radar pickup, San Diego needs to find value in unexpected places.
The Padres have been here before. Now it’s a matter of whether they can once again piece together a roster that can compete-without the comfort of a blank check.