Padres may have perfect trade opening after Jared Jones complicates Pirates' rotation

It is not an ideal situation for Pirates' right-handed pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski. The 27-year-old is enjoying a solid 2026 season, but his window of opportunity appears to be closed, at least for as long as he remains in a Pittsburgh uniform.

Young star Jared Jones is taking Mlodzinski's spot in the starting rotation. Understandably frustrated, Mlodzinski probably shouldn't be too surprised that Jones will take over, though. That spot in the rotation was always Jones', but it's a tough pill to swallow. In the media huddle near his locker on Thursday night, Mlodzinski looked and sounded visibly upset about the news.

It appears as though Mlodzinski's days with the Pirates are numbered. Now it's time for the San Diego Padres to step in. The Friars need to add a pitcher, and Mlodzinski could be an underrated trade option. AJ Preller and his team should be on the phone with Pittsburgh right now to try and rectify the problem swirling around Mlodzinski. It would be a win-win situation for San Diego and Pittsburgh.

Padres cannot wait on Joe Musgrove's return to alleviate pitching problems

The Friars are patiently waiting on Joe Musgrove's return following multiple elbow injuries. But, San Diego cannot sit back and wait for that to happen — there's risk that Musgrove will still not be healthy post-All-Star break. Someone else needs to come in and fill the gaps.

Enter Carmen Mlodzinski. The 2020 first-round draft pick has sneakily been a productive arm for the Pirates since he debuted in 2023. He owns a career 3.37 ERA. This season, he has a 110 ERA+, and he can get you five strong innings consistently. He typically works with a fastball-splitter-sinker sequence, which is a prime arsenal for Padres pitching coach Ruben Niebla to perfect.

Mlodzinski is an East Coast boy at heart. He's from South Carolina and pitched for the Gamecocks in college. He's spent his entire career within the Pirates' organization. But maybe it's time for him to enjoy the West Coast, where he would be appreciated on a team that needs someone just like him.

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