Baseball insider connects Padres–Marlins as a trade fit that actually adds up

The Padres are in search of their next big splash of the offseason, after the team re-signed Michael King on a three-year, $75 million deal. With a few more holes that need to be filled ahead of opening day, it’s only a matter of time until A.J. Preller acts again, as there are still many big names on the market.

The needs in question are starting pitching (still), first/second base, and arguably a second catcher. However, one MLB insider predicts that the Padres will make a trade that will benefit them in future years.

Jeremiah Estrada pops up in a Padres–Marlins trade idea that makes too much sense

Aram Leighton of Just Baseball Media predicts the Padres and Marlins to formulate a trade package that would not only fix the Padres' broken farm system but also help Miami cash in on one position group that took a hit due to one big injury.

The Marlins lost one of their best relievers, Ronny Henriquez, for the entirety of 2026 due to Tommy John Surgery. While the team signed right-hander Pete Fairbanks to a one-year, $13 million deal, the bullpen still lacks a high-octane arm or two.

On the Padres' side of things, they have absolutely no prospects to look forward to until 2028 at the soonest. As we remember, the team went all out at the 2025 trade deadline, trading away 13 prospects in return for Mason Miller, Freddy Fermin, Ryan O’Hearn, and Ramón Laureano.

The Padres' bullpen is set for the long term, so why not trade the odd one out of the bunch for a pool of prospects?

Despite posting a 3.45 ERA and touching 100 mph on the radar gun, Jeremiah Estrada is the one in question. Could he be moved?

The truth is, San Diego would be fine moving one of their key bullpen pieces, as they would still retain Mason Miller, Jason Adam, and Adrian Morejón to take on the final nine outs of the game.

Estrada has been excellent for the Padres as one of the first guys out of the bullpen, but he will be remembered for one thing: struggling against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Estrada posted an abysmal 18.47 ERA over 6.1 innings, something that no Padres fan wants to see.

While he has been solid over the past two seasons and a crucial part of the bullpen, the Padres could kick off a rebuild of their farm system by trading him away. Plus, the Marlins could provide a solid package in return. So why not give it a shot?