The San Diego Padres, thanks to A.J. Preller's constant involvement in trade talks and free agent rumors, are always ready to make a move when needed.
Currently, the Padres need to add to their starting rotation, but it's a much more difficult equation than simply signing a starter to a free agent deal.
As Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic report, the Padres are showing interest in starting pitchers, but are likely going to have to make a decision with Nick Pivetta first.
Padres free agent update makes for an interesting Nick Pivetta rumor
"The Padres also want to add a starter," Rosenthal and Sammon write, "but are telling the representatives for several free agents that they are not yet ready to move, according to people familiar with those discussions."
This is an unexpected update. The Padres are interested in signing a free agent starting pitcher, and have been in talks to do so, but they're not currently planning to make a move.
The Athletic duo speculate that the reason for this holdup, for why the Padres are not ready to sign a free agent starter, revolves around clearing money.
"The holdup might be the Padres wanting to clear money, perhaps a trade of right-hander Nick Pivetta, an idea they have entertained this offseason," Rosenthal and Sammon write.
This would be an interesting offseason solution for the Padres. After spending $75 million over three years on Michael King, the Padres are reportedly trying now to move on from Pivetta after his breakout 2025 campaign.
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The former Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox starting pitcher had a huge season for the Padres in 2025. Pivetta had a 2.87 ERA and 5.3 bWAR in his best season by a wide margin in the Major Leagues.
Trading Pivetta would clear a lot of money and could open the door for the Padres to sign at least one starting pitcher this winter.
This is a very interesting situation, in which the Padres have expressed a desire to sign a few free agents, but are telling their agents that they cannot do a deal right now.
Whether it's to trade Pivetta, or another expensive veteran, or some other move they're waiting for, the Padres playing the free agent market this way is a fascinating decision from Preller and company.
They have the means to sign a free agent starter, but as of now, they are telling agents they aren't ready to sign such a deal. It's a situation worth keeping a very close eye on, as a lot can change in the coming days and weeks.
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