Padres, AJ Preller deserve more credit for 2025 rotation despite injuries, departures

It might be too early to throw a parade for the San Diego Padres' front office staff, but they definitely deserve a nod of appreciation for the way they have handled the 2025 season.

Entering the new week with a 25-14 record, sitting just one game behind the Dodgers for first place in the NL West, you'd think that everything has gone seamlessly for the Friars. But if you look below the surface, the start to this season easily could have been a nightmare, and yet, it's not? Jackson Merrill and Jake Cronenworth missed a good chunk of time, but the lineup found a way to stay afloat in their absence.

However, what's really impressive is how San Diego has operated on the mound. This club has been without Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove, and Matt Waldron all year. In any given season, that's 45-60 expected solid starts from this trio, and so far, none of them have thrown yet (Musgrove is out for the regular season).

Padres President of Baseball Operations AJ Preller has been savvy with his moves, whether a move was made or not, and perhaps it's time for the fans to show some gratitude.

Padres avoided major health concerns with Dodgers' lefty Blake Snell

Right off the bat, staying away from Blake Snell was ultimately a gift. Fans were looking forward to a potential reunion with the two-time Cy Young Award winner, but Snell has only given the Dodgers headaches this season. He's made two starts in 2025, and he has been shutdown for the last month-and-a-half.

Had Preller gone the Snell route, the pitching injuries may have been too heavy to surmount. It was clearly a good play to stay away from Snell.

Going after Nick Pivetta, though it may have been late in the offseason, was the steal of the winter. On a far cheaper deal than Snell, Pivetta has been unbelievably productive and efficient. He dons a 3.05 ERA, racking up five wins through eight starts and a 9.9 K/9.

The embarrassment of riches doesn't stop there, either. Stephen Kolek, who began the year with Triple-A El Paso, has been an ace through two starts. Yes, it's only been two starts, but he hasn't allowed a run through 14 1/3 innings, including tossing a complete-game shutout on the road on May 10 against the Rockies.

The two additions of Pivetta and Kolek to the MLB roster, paired with not signing Snell, makes for a happy Padres fan. San Diego should thank Preller for not pulling the trigger on an aging, injury-prone pitcher who is on a $182-million deal with the Friars' rival.

Let's also not forget about Kyle Hart. Unfairly expected to produce with the Padres this season, Hart was ultimately let go after surrendering 14 runs in 21 innings. Optioning him proved to be the smart move, so good on Preller for not waiting on Hart to figure it out. Kolek has been a perfect replacement so far.