Padres’ offseason rotation plans highlight how strong their financial headwinds are

The San Diego Padres came away from the MLB Winter Meetings with nothing to show for it except a lot of troubling rumors. Though Padres President of Baseball Operations didn't speak about it himself, a number of reporters and insiders believe that San Diego is open to the idea of moving some of the best players.

New York Post columnist Jon Heyman reported late on Wednesday that the Padres were listening to offers on Dylan Cease, Luis Arráez, and even Xander Bogaerts. Cease is obviously the biggest name of the three, and having just traded for the right-hander less than a year ago, it was rather wild to hear his name come up in trade talks.

However, there is some merit to it. Cease is entering the final year of his arbitration window, and while the Padres would love to sign the former All-Star to contract extension, San Diego seems to be having some financial difficulties.

Padres’ offseason rotation plans highlight how strong their financial headwinds are

Losing Cease, even if it improved the Padres' farm system, would be tough. After all, San Diego will be without Joe Musgrove next season while he's rehabbing and recovering from Tommy John surgery. Subtracting both Cease and Musgrove from a rotation that nearly ousted the World Series champions would seem to be taking a gigantic step backwards.

Furthermore, if the reporting from Dennis Lin of The Athletic is accurate, even with Cease, the Padres are already going to be heading into the season with a questionable rotation. Lin stated that Preller indicated Adrian Morejon, Stephen Kolek, and Bryan Hoeing are the Padres' internal candidates to fill out the back of the rotation. What?!

Yes, that same Morejon, Kolek, and Hoeing who operated out of the Friars bullpen in 2024. This is one of those robbing Peter to pay Paul situations. The Padres' relief corps will already be without Tanner Scott next season, and Robert Suarez struggled down the stretch last season.

Padres fans want to believe that they can improve upon last season's success, but the early whispers throughout the offseason aren't painting a rosy picture. This thing could go sideways really fast, and these latest rumblings are not instilling much confidence among the Friar faithful.

More San Diego Padres News and Rumors