The MLB Winter Meetings begin Sunday in Orlando, Fla., and the San Diego Padres are looking to upgrade their starting rotation. Team President of Baseball Operations and General Manager A.J. Preller should
have plenty of options available on the trade market.
The window of opportunity to contend for a postseason berth is slowly closing on the Padres. Preller’s objective this offseason is to add reliable starting pitching that complements the existing members of the rotation, Nick Pivetta, Randy Vasquez, and Joe Musgrove.
Pivetta had an outstanding first season in San Diego, as he led the staff with 13 wins. Vasquez is developing into a quality starter, but concerns remain about his limited major league experience. Musgrove’s health is the biggest unknown factor for the 2026 season. While he is expected to pitch, his effectiveness on the mound remains in question. The goal is for Musgrove to pitch injury-free for the first time in a while.
Berrios a potential trade target
You would assume Preller has done his due diligence on who is available for trade. The top names that fit within the Friars’ payroll budget are Toronto Blue Jays Jose Berrios and a possible reunion with Washington Nationals MacKenzie Gore.
Berrios had a mediocre 2025 campaign with a 9-5 record and 4.17 ERA in 30 starts. He finished the season on the injured list with right elbow inflammation that kept him off the Blue Jays’ postseason roster. However, the injury should not keep Berrios from being a full participant in Spring Training next March.
Several media outlets expect the Jays to put him on the trade market, especially after opening the checkbook and signing free agent starting pitchers Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce to big-money contracts.
The one caveat that makes the Padres the ideal trade partner is that Berrios has an opt-out clause in his contract at the conclusion of the 2026 season. However, it is unclear how much salary (Berrios owed $18 million) the Friars are willing to absorb in a potential trade.
A possible reunion with Gore
Gore could be a more logical choice for the Padres, as he is under team control for another two seasons. Being a Scott Boras client, Gore is expected to decline contract extension talks and instead explore free agency following his option year. His projected 2026 salary is $4.7 million. It should not severely impact the Friars’ payroll for next season.
No other starter was more dominant than Gore in the first half of last season. He threw to a 3.02 ERA, as his first-half strikeout rate (30.5%) was outstanding. Unfortunately, Gore physically broke down after the All-Star break. He had two stints on the IL with left shoulder inflammation and an ankle impingement. Injuries limited his success, as Gore’s ERA jumped to 4.17 by season’s end.
Who could the Friars include in a potential deal
The Padres have several candidates who could be a part of a potential trade. The first name that comes to mind is Luis Campusano, who might need a change of scenery to reach his full potential. For whatever reason, Campusano has struggled at the major league level. He has a career .240 batting average and went 0-21 in 10 games last season. His trade value is declining. Preller needs to include him in any trade for starting pitching depth.
If the Friars have an opportunity to acquire a proven No.1 starter, then the team’s top prospect, Ethan Salas, is likely included in any deal. He has been somewhat of a disappointment since signing a $5.6 million contract with the Padres in 2023. Injuries and lack of production at the plate (.221 career batting average) have slowed his progression through the minor league system.
Preller does have a propensity to deal away his top prospects (Max Fried and Leodalis De Vries) if the right player becomes available. But to trade away Salas, he must acquire a starting pitcher who proves his worth from Opening Day through the postseason.
Success demands risks to be taken. Preller must identify genuine trade opportunities from market noise. Acquiring the right starter will determine if the Padres are true contenders or just pretenders.
