San Diego rebuffed New York’s pursuit of the All-Star southpaw, reportedly declining a deal for Will Warren as the surging Friars reconsider their deadline strategy and roster depth.
The San Diego Padres have quickly gone from seller to buyer in the matter of a couple of weeks. On Sunday, the Padres defeated the San Francisco Giants, giving San Diego eight wins in the last nine games and potentially changing the franchise's direction before Monday's 3 p.m. trade deadline.
At one point, superstar closer Mason Miller was viewed as one of the best players in the market, but it sure doesn't seem like San Diego will trade the All-Star now.
However, another bullpen pitcher could be moved, and that is left-hander Adrian Morejon.
Morejon has been with San Diego since 2016, and he was once a starter before moving to the bullpen. He made his first All-Star team in 2025, and he has now become a reliable set-up man with Miller finishing games.
On Sunday, Morejon's trade value likely increased as he threw 1.1 scoreless innings. Later on Sunday, USA Today's Bob Nightengale wrote on X that San Diego rejected an offer from the New York Yankees for Morejon.
The deal reportedly would've sent starting pitcher Will Warren to San Diego.
The Yankees acquired first baseman Luis Garcia Jr. from the Washington Nationals earlier on Sunday, and now it seems the Yankees are serious about landing Morejon.
Earlier on Sunday, the Yankees were named alongside the Rays and Pirates as teams that showed interest in Morejon, with one executive saying he doesn't think the southpaw will be moved.
On one hand, the Padres desperately need a starting pitcher, and Morejon is on the final year of his current deal, meaning he is a free agent after the season.
However, Warren doesn't exactly move the needle. This season, the 27-year-old has an 8-5 record with a 4.14 ERA, although he has a few more years of control.
Morejon is viewed as the best reliever on the market, especially if Miller doesn't get traded. This season, Morejon has an 8-2 record with a 3.07 ERA and a pair of saves, and he hasn't allowed an earned run since July 17.
Following Sunday's win, Morejon said he wants to stay in San Diego.
Right now, some have called out Nightengale for saying this is a false report. Either way, it shows that teams are interested in Morejon, but Preller might be hesitant to let him go for cheap, even more with the latest winning surge and San Diego right back in the NL Wild Card race.
