Giants signing Justin Verlander takes risky option away from cost-conscious Padres

This offseason has been a bizarre change of pace for the San Diego Padres. Normally one of the league's most aggressive executives, AJ Preller has been suspiciously quiet thus far to the chagrin of many Padres fans.

Whether that is due primarily to the payroll concerns attached to their ownership issues, or is just a matter of the right deal(s) not coming across their desk yet, it has not been the offseason fans were hoping for.

One area where the Padres could certainly use some reinforcements is the rotation. Even if the Padres ultimately decide to not trade Dylan Cease despite his ample market, Joe Musgrove's injury has created a void on their starting pitching staff. Without more rotation depth, San Diego is going to struggle to keep pace in 2025.

Fortunately, one option that they absolutely should not have considered is officially off the table after Justin Verlander signed with the Giants.

Justin Verlander is Padres' division rival Giants' problem now

Look, Verlander's career resume is unimpeachable. The guy is going to be a Hall of Famer and is one of the best pitchers in modern baseball history. Anyone that is arguing otherwise either has a personal beef, doesn't know baseball, or is actively lying.

However, the last two years have been a reminder that Father Time is undefeated and, at 41 years old while coming off a neck injury, Verlander isn't anywhere close to the guy he once was. There is a chance that he rebounds and puts together one last solid season, but that is not a risk the Padres need to take, especially for freaking $15 million next year.

San Diego may want some more starting pitching depth, but they are far from being in a desperate situation next season. The Giants, however, are in a position where they have to take some risks, as they are on verge of becoming irrelevant in the NL West as they fall further and further behind the Padres, Dodgers, and even the Diamondbacks. For them, gambling on Verlander makes a lot more sense.

One just hopes that it is a gamble that doesn't pay off. By the numbers, it shouldn't.

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