Padres’ Pursuit of Merrill Kelly Shows A.J. Preller Isn’t Done Building a Postseason-Ready Rotation
A.J. Preller might say the Padres are feeling good about where their rotation stands right now - and on paper, there’s reason to believe him.
Michael King is in the fold, Nick Pivetta adds another proven arm, and Joe Musgrove is still anchoring things. But if you follow the breadcrumbs, it’s clear Preller isn’t just satisfied.
He’s still hunting.
Before King officially became part of the equation, San Diego reportedly made a serious push for Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly. And this wasn’t just a casual inquiry. According to multiple reports, the Padres made what was described as a “competitive” offer for Kelly, who ultimately re-signed with Arizona on a two-year, $40 million deal.
That pursuit says a lot - not about what the Padres didn’t get, but about what they’re trying to build.
Kelly, a battle-tested veteran with playoff experience, fits a very specific mold. He’s not a back-end innings-eater or a depth piece you stash for a rainy day.
He’s the kind of pitcher you hand the ball to in October and trust to keep the game in check against the Dodgers, Giants, or anyone else the NL West throws your way. That’s the caliber of arm San Diego was targeting, even after already making a significant investment in King.
And it gets even more interesting. Ken Rosenthal reported that Kelly also had a three-year offer from a West Coast team worth over $50 million.
While the team wasn’t named, the context makes it easy to connect the dots. If the Padres were in the mix with a competitive offer, it speaks volumes about their willingness to spend - and their urgency to win.
This wasn’t just about stockpiling arms. Preller and the Padres were clearly shopping in the premium aisle, looking for rotation pieces that can hold up under playoff pressure. That’s been the theme of San Diego’s roster construction in recent years: aggressive, ambitious, and aimed at building a team that doesn’t just survive a 162-game grind, but thrives in the postseason gauntlet.
The Michael King deal - three years, $75 million - is a big swing in its own right. King brings versatility, upside, and the kind of stuff that plays against elite lineups.
But the near-miss on Kelly reveals something else: even after landing King, the Padres weren’t content. They were still actively trying to add another top-tier starter.
That’s not a team looking to round out the rotation. That’s a team trying to dominate it.
And that approach makes sense when you look at the broader picture. The Padres have dealt with injuries, inconsistencies, and high expectations that haven’t always been met. So Preller is trying to build a rotation that can withstand the inevitable bumps - a group that can still function like a contender even when not everyone is firing on all cylinders.
In that light, the Kelly pursuit wasn’t a miss. It was a message.
The Padres aren’t just trying to stay competitive in the NL West - they’re trying to control it. And if Preller’s recent moves are any indication, he’s not done yet.