Padres bullpen depth could give them major advantage in 2025

If there is one aspect of the San Diego Padres that fans can almost always count on, it is the bullpen. Even after losing one of their best pieces in Tanner Scott to the Dodgers in free agency, the Padres sheer number of available arms has set them up for another strong year in 2025.

Padres Manager Mike Shildt recently revealed that both Adrian Morejon and Bryan Hoeing would be staying in the bullpen for the 2025 season, a major addition to an already strong bullpen staff. For San Diego, the bullpen depth that they have built could give them a major advantage over the rest of the league in 2025.

Padres still have bullpen decisions to make before Opening Day

Losing Scott means the Padres no longer have one of the league's premier setup guys to use before bringing closer Robert Suarez into the game. The backend combo of Scott and Suarez was one of the best in the league in 2025, but Scott's departure means that other bullpen pieces now have the chance to take that spot.

Jeremiah Estrada and Jason Adam stick out as the two most probable options to use in front of Suarez. Estrada had a breakout year in his first season with San Diego, putting up an impressive 2.95 ERA over 62 games with a ridiculous 13.9 K/9. His ability to bring consistent results in high leverage situations should make him a top option for San Diego.

Adam could also be the Padres new setup guy, as in his limited time in San Diego, he put up the best numbers out of the pen. In 26.2 innings pitched, Adam allowed just three earned runs while striking out 31. After signing a one year, $4.8 million deal to avoid arbitration, look for Adam to be one of the most important pen pieces for the Padres in 2025.

Other options include Morejon and Hoeing, who both had impressive 2025's. Hoeing, who was acquired from Miami in the Scott trade, appeared in 18 games for San Diego primarily as a mid-game option. His ridiculous 0.803 WHIP with the Padres was a tremendous improvement from the 1.267 mark he put up with Miami before the trade. Morejon, who heard rumors about a potential move to the starting rotation before San Diego's recent acquisitions, put up career highs in ERA, games, innings pitched, and strikeouts in 2025.

Other names like Alek Jacob, Stephen Kolek, Yuki Matsui, Sean Reynolds and Ron Marinaccio, who was acquired in a trade with the Chicago White Sox, all add depth options behind the Padres main bullpen pieces. Jhony Brito, who became a Padre in the Juan Soto Yankees trade, could also find a role in the pen after appearing in 26 games for San Diego in 2024 before being placed on the 60-day IL with a right elbow strain.