The Padres’ offseason could turn crowded in a hurry, with as many as 17 free agents potentially reaching the open market. San Diego has plenty to sort through, and the starting rotation will be near the top of the to-do list. But among all the decisions ahead, keeping Adrian Morejon may be the one that matters most.
That’s why Jim Bowden’s contract projection stands out for the Padres. The Athletic’s former GM sees Morejon landing a three-year, $42 million deal this winter, a figure that would carry a $14 million average annual value. For San Diego, that kind of number would give them a real shot to keep one of their most important arms in-house.
Bowden was glowing in his evaluation of the left-hander. “Morejon has been one of the best high-leverage multi-inning relievers in the sport the past couple of years. While he hasn’t regularly held the closer role in San Diego, he is clearly capable of being a lockdown closer,” Bowden wrote.
He also pointed to just how dominant Morejon’s underlying numbers were in 2026. “Morejon ranked in the 93rd percentile in pitching run value, 91st percentile in fastball run value and 95th percentile in offspeed run value in 2026.
He also ranked in the 98th percentile in ground-ball rate and 99th percentile in xERA. His changeup is so deceptive that opposing batters hit just .156 against it.”
Bowden’s projected deal puts Morejon in the neighborhood of pitchers such as Tanner Scott, Devin Williams and Robert Suarez. He also listed the Padres, along with the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies, as the best fits for the left-handed reliever.
Morejon just wrapped up his eighth season, all of them with San Diego. He made his first All-Star team in 2025 and followed that up with another strong year in 2026.
This past season, the 27-year-old worked in 76 games and finished with a 2.83 ERA, 107 strikeouts and a 1.08 WHIP. Opponents hit .205 against him, and he picked up three saves across 86 innings.
Morejon’s path with the Padres goes back to 2017, when he signed as an International free agent. He reached the majors two years later and has since grown into one of the sport’s most reliable relievers.
Bowden didn’t project a deal north of $90 million for Morejon, though that remains a possibility. Even so, the expectation is that San Diego will push hard to keep him.
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