With King back, the Padres still chase pitching. Can Preller find rotation reinforcements amid a thin farm system and tough competition?
Just when it looked like Michael King was going elsewhere, he struck a three-year, $75 million deal to return to the San Diego Padres.
The addition of King is a big boost, especially after losing Dylan Cease in free agency to a massive $210 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Bringing back Cease didn't feel like a realistic scenario, but King returning was something fans were hoping for.
AJ Cassavell of MLB.com had four things the Padres still need to do, and at the top of his list is to add to the rotation.
"But where do the Padres find that pitching? They almost certainly wouldn’t splurge again on a frontline starter. So do they scour the free-agent market looking for a discount? Or could Preller pull off a trade for a bigger name?"
The good news is that everybody knows AJ Preller's phone is never off, and he is always trying to find a deal, a trade or a free agent to make the roster better.
Unfortunately, the Padres farm system is not what it once was, especially after Preller traded a way a multitude of prospects.
"With Preller, of course, that’s always a possibility. But the Padres’ farm system remains markedly thinner than it once was. Which, of course, is another reason the Padres must add to their rotation this winter. The upper-level starting-pitching depth was depleted amid recent trade sprees. There aren’t many Minor League options to help fill out a starting five," Cassavell added.
As it stands, the Padres rotation figures to begin with Michael King, Nick Pivetta and Joe Musgrove, who is returning from injury.
However, Pivetta's name has been tossed around in some trade discussions, so there is a scenario that the Padres move on from Pivetta for some other pieces.
Randy Vasquez pitched well for San Diego, and they also signed former Cleveland Guardians star Triston McKenzie, although he needs some work in hopes of snagging a Major League roster spot.
Last offseason, Preller waited a long time before inking Pivetta to a four-year, $55 million deal, and that more than paid off as he was their best starter in 2025.
With the market slowing down, perhaps Preller can do that again, but whatever happens, adding a piece or two to the rotation feels like a necessity, especially with the Los Angeles Dodgers boasting one of the best rosters and rotations in baseball.