Padres looking for pitching at 2026 Trade Deadline
MLB.com • • sports
Key Points:
- The San Diego Padres are expected to be active buyers at the MLB Trade Deadline, focusing primarily on acquiring starting pitching to strengthen their rotation, which has relied heavily on bullpen games recently.
- General manager A.J. Preller aims to add at least one starting pitcher, with considerations between acquiring a high-end starter or multiple back-end starters, while also factoring in team control and next year's rotation depth.
- The Padres' offense has improved significantly, ranking as a top-10 unit over the past two months, reducing the urgency to acquire a major bat, though upgrades in left field remain a possibility.
- While the Padres possess an elite bullpen, they are unlikely to trade key relievers like Mason Miller but might consider moving other left-handed relievers such as Yuki Matsui, Wandy Peralta, or Kyle Hart to acquire starting pitching or prospects.
- Joe Musgrove and Nick Pivetta are expected to return from rehab soon, which, combined with the effectiveness of recent bullpen strategies, may influence how aggressively the Padres pursue starting pitchers at the deadline.
