The San Diego Padres projected pitching rotation has a top three with the potential to matchup with any staff in MLB. After that, things get a little dicey. Randy Vasquez has increased his innings pitched over the past two seasons, but he has shown himself to be susceptible to the walk, allowing 58 last season. To his credit, worked himself into and out of jams which kept his ERA at a respectable 3.84 in 2025. Matt Waldron was one of the top pitchers in the San Diego rotation at times two seasons ago,
but he was unable to have the same success in 2025 and spent the year in the minors. Kyle Hart started last season in the Padres rotation, but fell out and into the minors, before eventually returning to the big-league club as a member of the bullpen. Joining Vasquez, Waldron and Hart to compete for a rotation spot is JP Sears, who was reported to be the main reason Padres president of baseball operations and general manager A.J. Preller reached out to the Athletics which ultimately resulted in San Diego acquiring not only Sears, but closer Mason Miller at the trade deadline last season. Sears did not endear himself to the Friar Faithful in his five starts for San Diego, but he may get another chance to do so with a strong performance in Spring Training.
Padres News:
- The Hot Stove has been anything but that for the Padres and for most of baseball for that matter. There have been flashes of activity, but no sustained movement which has caused this offseason to feel incredibly slow. Cheri Bell of Gaslamp Ball says the reason for that on the San Diego front is the lack of financial flexibility, which could mean a trade is in the future for the club.
- San Diego has questions about the starting rotation, but even though the final two spots appear uncertain, pitching coach Ruben Niebla and manager Craig Stammen should have multiple players to choose from to complete the rotation. Of course, adding a pitcher via trade or free agency is an option as well.
Baseball News:
- With Alex Bregman agreeing to a five-year, $175 million contract with the Chicago Cubs, the Boston Red Sox find themselves with a vacancy at third base and money to spend. It is possible the Red Sox pivot to free agent Bo Bichette after failing to re-sign Bregman.
- With the addition of Bregman, there has been increasing speculation that the Cubs could be gearing up to make a trade. One likely candidate to be traded by Chicago is infielder Nico Hoerner.
- It was reported earlier this week that the New York Yankees and free-agent Cody Bellinger were “at an impasse.” It has been assumed for much of the offseason that Bellinger would re-sign with the Yankees, but with the latest reports New York will have to look at the remaining free agent options if Bellinger decides to sign with another team.
- Reliever Pierce Johnson and the Cincinnati Reds reportedly agreed to a contract, Sunday. The deal has not been confirmed by the team.
- The Toronto Blue Jays and former White Sox slugger Eloy Jimenez agreed to a minor league deal. Jimenez spent time with Toronto in 2025 but did not make it to the big leagues with the team.
