The San Diego Padres have several needs address on their roster prior to the start of the 2026 season. The most critical of those needs is starting pitcher. Dylan Cease departed in free agency and has signed with the Toronto Blue Jays. Michael King also departed in free agency and has not yet signed with a team. Yu Darvish had surgery on his elbow following the 2025 season and the recovery will require him to miss all of the 2026 season. Only Nick Pivetta and Joe Musgrove are locked into starting rotation spots at this time, and with Musgrove returning from his own year-long absence due to surgery, his effectiveness is in question. These are just some of the reasons Gaslamp Ball readers have identified starting pitching as the most important part of the San Diego roster that needs to be addressed.
Padres News:
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Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune continues his look at the Padres’ minor league system, this time focusing on the outfield. Sanders identifies which players to watch in the San Diego system as the 2026 season approaches.
Baseball News:
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Could the Tampa Bay Rays be returning to St, Peterburg? According to a report from Anthony Franco of MLB Trade Rumors, officials think Tropicana Field has a chance to be ready for Opening Day.
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The Rays also made news with a free agent signing, landing Cedric Mullins on a one-year deal for $7 million.
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The Toronto Blue Jays have already has a busy offseason trying to solidify their roster with the hopes of returning to the World Series in 2026. However, they may just be getting started. Kyle Tucker, arguably the top free agent position player this offseason, toured the Blue Jays’ Spring Training facility as Toronto tries to lure another free agent north of the border.
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The Los Angeles Dodgers brought back a piece of their 2025 World Series winning roster, signing Miguel Rojas to a one-year, $5.5 million deal Wednesday.
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The Cincinnati Reds have re-signed closer Emilio Pagan to a two-year deal. He joins Ryan Helsely, Raisel Iglesias and Devin Williams as closers who have come off the free agent board.
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Jim Bowden of The Athletic breaks down the top 10 remaining free agents represented by Scott Boras. It seems that every offseason shifts its focus to Boras at some point and this offseason will be no different.
