MLB writer’s 2026 Padres prediction comes as no surprise

While the Padres are still aiming to fill a few more needs on their roster, such as starting pitching and first base, there is one positional group that has no questions surrounding it. The team’s bullpen was unquestionably the best unit in the league in 2025, and possibly in 2024 as well.

Heading into 2026, the team will be without its old closer, Robert Suárez, who signed a three-year, $45 million deal with the Atlanta Braves. Despite losing him, the Padres will embrace Mason Miller as their new last guy out of the bullpen. Miller spent the majority of the season as the set-up man, taking on the eighth inning. He will assume his old position as closer, which he held in his time with the Athletics, before being traded to the Padres.

MLB writer predicts Padres bullpen will be MLB’s best in 2026

MLB.com’s A.J. Cassavell believes that San Diego’s bullpen will remain the best in the league despite losing Suárez in free agency. He pointed to the fact that not only do the Padres have Adrian Morejón, Jason Adam, and Jeremiah Estrada, but also that the Padres made history by becoming the first team to send three relievers to the All-Star game.

“They get a full year of Mason Miller, the obvious replacement in the closer role,” Cassavell said. “Adrian Morejon is arguably the sport’s top lefty relief weapon. Throw in Jeremiah Estrada and Jason Adam, and the back end of the San Diego’s pen could be as dominant as any in recent memory.”

On top of the core four, the Padres also get to see what they have in David Morgan, a 26-year-old right-hander who posted a 2.66 ERA over 47.1 innings pitched. The Mission Viejo, California, native may be a common first man out of the bullpen.

Amidst all the changes the team has seen this offseason, it must be reassuring for Padres fans to know they have stability in a significant group.