Jim Bowden Lays Out Potential Adrian Morejon Trade With Yankees

With everyone in wait-and-see mode regarding the San Diego Padres' plans at the MLB trade deadline, if they move on and sell, there are a lot of names that could be moved. 

Superstar closer Mason Miller is by far the biggest name, and he is arguably the most splashy name in the majors when it comes to trade discussions. 

While a Miller trade would undoubtedly bring back a haul, another reliever is a popular trade candidate: Left-hander Adrian Morejon. 

The starter-turned-reliever has been excellent for the Padres lately. He was an All-Star for the first time in his career in 2025. 

Entering Wednesday, Morejon has an 8-2 record with a 3.14 ERA in 50 appearances. In 2024, he went 3-2 with a 2.83 ERA in 60 outings, and 2025 he went 13-6 with a 2.08 ERA in 75 regular-season outings. 

Chris Kirschner and Jim Bowden proposed some potential packages involving the New York Yankees in a recent piece in The Athletic, and one of them involved Morejon going to the Bronx. 

The proposed deal was San Diego receiving a pair of starting pitchers, Elmer Rodriguez and Bryce Cunningham, in exchange for Morejon. 

Bowden says that both teams would do the deal, and here is why, 

"The Padres need to rebuild their rotation, and acquiring two future back-of-the-rotation starters, each with six years of club control, for Morejón, a two-month rental, should be a no-brainer, even though San Diego is still in the National League wild-card race," Bowden wrote. 

Cunningham is 23 years old and he has a 4.63 ERA this season in High A, but Rodriguez has made some starts at the big league level. 

For the Yankees, this gives them a solid bullpen piece, and Morejon has been often used as the set-up man in San Diego. 

This means Morejon could throw right before David Bednar comes in as the Yankees closer, and who knows, there is a scenario where Morejon and Miller team up in New York depending on how the trade deadline goes. 

Morejon is headed for free agency after this season, so it would be a rental for the Yankees, although it could also give them a head start if they plan on signing Morejon long-term. 

For Padres fans, it will be tough to see Morejon leave as he has spent his entire MLB career with San Diego, but it makes sense given the need for relievers and the Padres unsure of what they will do this season.