Padres make Mason Miller decision during MLB Winter Meetings

Matt Sullivan

•
Padres make Mason Miller decision during MLB Winter Meetings image

The San Diego Padres' offseason is bound to be an interesting one. While they're looking to add multiple starting pitchers, trading Nick Pivetta could be an option. Jake Cronenworth is also a trade candidate, as the Padres look to shift around payroll.

With the moving parts this winter for the Padres, especially with Yu Darvish out for the 2026 season, the Padres' need in the rotation is as clear as ever. That need sparked a question: could one of the Padres' relievers become a starter?

One player in such discussions was Mason Miller. Alden Gonzalez of ESPN shared an update on this potential move for Miller at the MLB Winter Meetings. Craig Stammen, a former MLB reliever, is being conservative with Miller.

Padres make Mason Miller decision during MLB Winter Meetings

"Padres manager Craig Stammen said they'll keep Mason Miller, Adrian Morejon, and David Morgan in the bullpen rather than converting them to starters," Gonzalez reports. "So, the Padres are very much in the market for starters."

While Miller becoming a full-time starter, with his incredible production, is very appealing, it's not a realistic or safe option.

The extra wear-and-tear as a starter is a different kind of challenge for a pitcher making the move from the bullpen to the rotation. While it's a move that can work on paper, in practice, it's very risky.

More: Padres receive $57 million Michael King contract projection from ESPN insider

While Miller, Adrian Morejon, and David Morgan were all considered options for the rotation, the Padres aren't making the switch. Stammen explained that, "It's a risky proposition health-wise and performance-wise."

Instead, Miller, Morejon, and Morgan will remain in the bullpen, which will keep one of the best reliever groups together for at least one more season. Jason Adam should be back near the start of the year, making the loss of Robert Suarez hurt a lot less.

Miller, who had a 0.77 ERA in 22 outings for the Padres during the regular season after being acquired from the Athletics, is now slated to take over the closer role in San Diego.

Starting pitching is a big need, but the Padres aren't sacrificing the immensely talented bullpen to take a big risk with Miller, or any reliever, and move them to the rotation.

More Padres News:

Contributing Writer