It has been an offseason that has seen some change for the San Diego Padres. They lost right-handed pitcher Dylan Cease, who signed with the Toronto Blue Jays. He signed on the dotted line for seven years and $210 million.
There was some good news with Michael King returning to the Padres. All signs were pointing earlier this offseason to him making the jump East. Three American League East Division teams, the Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, and Boston Red Sox, were all mentioned. He ended up returning to San Diego.
With a huge hole remaining in the starting rotation with Cease’s departure, the Padres are looking for another arm to bolster their rotation. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic linked them to three remaining free agent pitchers who would be cheap additions, along with a starting pitcher.
San Diego Padres Linked to 3 Free Agents & One Starting Pitcher For Rotation Depth
One thing that San Diego is going to need to compete in the National League West Division with the Los Angeles Dodgers is more pitching. There is still one big name out there, Framber Valdez, but he’s likely well out of their price range. Looking for cheaper options, Rosenthal listed Lucas Giolito, Nick Martinez, and Justin Verlander as potential free agents. Rosenthal also reported the Padres have checked in on Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta.
“Ideally, they would pounce on a starter who lingers on the market the way right-hander Nick Pivetta did last offseason. The Padres did not sign Pivetta to his four-year, $55 million deal until Feb. 17. Nick Martinez, Lucas Giolito, and Justin Verlander are among the free agents who could fall into San Diego’s preferred range at an $8 million to $12 million average annual value,” Rosenthal wrote.
Out of the free agents listed above, the one worth taking a chance on is Giolito in free agency. Last season with the Boston Red Sox, he went 10-4 in 26 starts with a 3.41 ERA in 245 innings and 121 strikeouts. His WAR was 2.1 for a Red Sox team that returned to the postseason.
San Diego Padres Linked to Freddy Peralta
Peralta to San Diego seems like a long shot at best. He would be perfect for the Padres in terms of money, with him being owed $8 million in 2026. He is scheduled to be a free agent after the season, and the price might be high for San Diego to meet, compared to other clubs.
“The Padres also are among the clubs to check in with the Milwaukee Brewers on a trade for righty ace Freddy Peralta, whose salary this season will be $8 million,” added Rosenthal.
So where do the Padres go from here? One thing is clear: they are looking to add another arm, and the free agent options are dwindling. Verlander would be a veteran arm that struggled early in the season last year with the San Francisco Giants, but was better in the second half of the season. Martinez is another veteran who would be available on a short-term deal. Peralta is intriguing though, for a rotation in need of a top arm.
Whatever ends up happening in San Diego the rest of the winter, one thing is clear: another starting pitcher is needed to compete with the Dodgers and the rest of the NL West. Whether it’s through a trade or free agency, another addition is needed before spring training begins next month.
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