The San Diego Padres are still deep in the hunt for pitching, and the message coming out of the general managers’ meeting in Las Vegas is that they’re not limiting themselves to one tier of the market. A team insider said the club is chasing multiple top starting pitchers, which fits the reality of a rotation that logged just the fourth-fewest innings from its starters last season.
Tarik Skubal is one of the names attached to that pursuit, and an MLB insider said the Padres have better odds than the Dodgers to land him this offseason. The reporting also noted that San Diego is serious about Skubal, though the question remains how far ownership is willing to go, especially with several commitments already on the books.
The Padres also haven’t closed the door on bringing Nick Pivetta back. GM AJ Preller said the team remains interested in re-signing him after declining his $14 million team option last month, with money identified as the biggest hurdle. Any new deal would need to be structured in a way that works for San Diego.
Another starting pitcher linked to the Padres is a former Dodgers and Brewers arm, adding to the sense that San Diego is casting a wide net as it tries to rebuild the rotation.
There’s also buzz around the outfield. Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki has been predicted to be in San Diego in 2027, a move that would bring in a player who was a little down in home run production but still stood out as one of Chicago’s most reliable offensive and defensive pieces.
On the bullpen side, Mason Miller’s big individual honor came with a clear message about one of his teammates. After being officially crowned National League Reliever of the Year on Wednesday, Miller made it plain that he wants Adrian Morejon back.
“I can’t say enough,” Miller said when asked about his setup man. “He doesn’t get the credit he deserves, that’s for sure.
Within our clubhouse, we know how valuable he is. We know we want him back next year.”
Morejon, 27, put together another strong season for San Diego. He posted a 2.83 ERA, struck out a career-high 107 batters, and did it over 86 innings, also a career high.
The underlying numbers backed up the performance. Morejon finished in the 98th percentile in average fastball velocity, the 99th percentile in chase rate, and the 97th percentile in swing-and-miss percentage.
There’s also another wrinkle to the Padres’ roster picture if they land an outfielder: Fernando Tatis Jr. could move back to the infield. According to the reporting, Tatis played 53 games at second base in 2026 after spending most of the season in right field.
In Other News...
Twins Just Lost A Power Bat Their Outfield Picture Could Need
The Padres have added another outfield name to the mix, signing Kalai Rosario to a minor league contract after his run through the Twins organization. Rosario reached Triple-A before hitting free agency, and he arrives with a reputation built on power, the kind that can make a player stand out quickly in a crowded system.
Rosarios minor league resume has been eye-catching for a while, from being named Midwest League MVP in 2023 to winning the Arizona Fall League Home Run Derby. For San Diego, it is the sort of low-risk move that can pay off if the bat keeps translating, especially with the club always looking for depth and upside in the outfield picture. [Read more 🡒]
Padres Suddenly Have A Catching Decision That Could Change Everything
The Padres are heading into the offseason with an unusual bit of depth behind the plate, and it has already started to draw attention from around the league. Trade inquiries have come in on Freddy Fermin and Luis Campusano, and with Ethan Salas viewed as the catcher of the future, San Diego is in position to sort out a logjam that could help elsewhere on the roster.
For the Padres, the decision is less about whether they have a long-term answer at catcher and more about which veteran makes the most sense to move. Several clubs are looking for a right-handed hitting catcher, which gives San Diego a chance to turn one of its extras into value, but it also means this could become one of the more consequential roster calls of the winter. [Read more 🡒]
Padres Face A Gavin Sheets Decision That Says Plenty About Ownership
Gavin Sheets gave the Padres a real left-handed presence in their lineup this season, finishing with 17 home runs against right-handed pitchers and trailing only Manny Machado and Jackson Merrill on the club in that split. For a team that has spent plenty of time trying to patch together enough offense around its core, that kind of production is not the sort of thing you casually brush aside in the offseason.
Still, the decision looming over Sheets is about more than one player. San Diego is weighing whether to tender him a contract for 2027, and the possibility of moving on has been floated if the Padres land a bigger free-agent bat. If that happens, the club could turn to outside options such as Teruaki Sato or Jake Bauers, or search the trade market for a lineup upgrade, which says plenty about how ownership is approaching the next step. [Read more 🡒]