The San Diego Padres are always looking to add pieces to the roster, and this All-Star from last season is one potential player who could be moved.
For as long as A.J. Preller is in the front office for the San Diego padres at Petco Park, they will be linked to plenty of players in the trade market.
Preller strikes again and again, and even when he misses, he just keeps on pulling off trades.
This season will be no different, and when the deadline gets closer, the Padres should be engaged in some big names.
ESPN's David Schoenfield named one potential trade candidate for every team, and even though it is early, it is a conversation worth having, especially with Preller pulling off early trades in years past (example: Luis Arraez-Marlins).
Although this was written before San Diego signed right-handed pitcher Lucas Giolito, it still feels like a possible scenario. Schoenfield named reliever and 2025 All-Star Adrian Morejon as the likely candidate.
"The San Diego rotation was already razor-thin before Nick Pivetta suffered a flexor strain in his right elbow. With one of the weakest farm systems in the majors, however, general manager A.J. Preller will have to get creative to make a deal, but if anyone can do it, he's the guy," Schoenfield wrote.
Again, maybe the signing of Giolito changes this, but German Marquez, Matt Waldron and Walker Buehler is not a strong back end of the rotation while Joe Musgrove and Nick Pivetta are sidelined.
The question is, why move on from Morejon? He is a key piece of the loaded bullpen, but, he is on the final year of his current deal.
"Morejon has been hit around so far, but he was one of the top lefty relievers during the past two seasons and made the All-Star team in 2025. Because he's a free agent, the Padres might look to flip him," Schoenfield wrote.
The Padres could always use another pitcher. And, they could also use some offense with Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado and Jackson Merrill all getting off to disappointing starts.
Jake Cronenworth is another trade option, but with the way he is playing, he might not get a very big return at all.
As far as the bullpen goes, Bradgley Rodriguez has been excellent early on, and Jason Adam has returned after suffering an injury in September, so the Padres can manage even without Morejon in the pen.
Once again, the impending sale of the franchise likely outs San Diego in a tough spot as far as financials go, but Morejon being flipped for an asset might make sense regardless of where the Padres are when the summer comes around.