Quote from MrPadre19 on February 16, 2026, 11:48 am

Quote from fenn68 on February 16, 2026, 5:27 am

Just to keep us guessing ... listened to a NBC7 sports report this a.m. and the reporter said Preller is still actively pursuing more upgrades to the roster ... both via low cost FA and via trade.

No idea which way he will go (never do) but given the current roster ... maybe be just as interesting who he moves off the roster (trade / DFA) as who he may add (and what position). Earlier he said he was NOT pursuing another catcher (but as we know that can change on a dime).

Stay tuned!

I saw something about us as one of the two front runners for Giolito?

My only guess is if we get Giolito that maybe AJ has a deal in place somewhere to move Pivetta?.

I get that Canning isn't completely healthy and Marquez isn't an all star....but that's still a lot of SP's that have to be in the roster

King/Pivetta/Musgrove/Giolito/Vasquez/Canning/Marquez....not even mentioning Hart/Waldron/McKenzie/Sears

Probably a baseless rumor but who really knows with Preller?

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 16, 2026, 11:50 am

Do we know what Cannings deal looks like yet?

Is it multiple years or?

 

Quote from fenn68 on February 16, 2026, 12:34 pm

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 16, 2026, 11:50 am

Do we know what Cannings deal looks like yet?

Is it multiple years or?

 

No ... probably not announced until he passes the physical and the contract is approved by the league.

Early report was a major league deal ... 1 year with a mutual option for 2027. That generally means they kept the 2026 cash lower and make up the difference by declining the 2027 option in favor of the buyout. No word on the money involved.

Report was similar with Marquez.

Quote from Randy Manese on February 16, 2026, 12:36 pm

So many unknowns with the current pitching staff that you NEVER have enough experienced SPs in the organization to cover as many contingencies as you can.  Giolito would be a good low cost gamble and would put the former Harvard-Westlake teammates in a San Diego uniform at some point of their careers albeit Fried never put on the major league uniform.

These mutual option deals the Padres are signing pitchers to usually gives them a low first year and a substantial increase in the second year, which either side usually opts out of.  Cannings deal probably looks similar to Marquez's even though still haven't seen the full details of that deal.

Quote from fenn68 on February 16, 2026, 12:50 pm

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 16, 2026, 11:48 am

Quote from fenn68 on February 16, 2026, 5:27 am

Just to keep us guessing ... listened to a NBC7 sports report this a.m. and the reporter said Preller is still actively pursuing more upgrades to the roster ... both via low cost FA and via trade.

No idea which way he will go (never do) but given the current roster ... maybe be just as interesting who he moves off the roster (trade / DFA) as who he may add (and what position). Earlier he said he was NOT pursuing another catcher (but as we know that can change on a dime).

Stay tuned!

I saw something about us as one of the two front runners for Giolito?

My only guess is if we get Giolito that maybe AJ has a deal in place somewhere to move Pivetta?.

I get that Canning isn't completely healthy and Marquez isn't an all star....but that's still a lot of SP's that have to be in the roster

King/Pivetta/Musgrove/Giolito/Vasquez/Canning/Marquez....not even mentioning Hart/Waldron/McKenzie/Sears

Probably a baseless rumor but who really knows with Preller?

Doubt they can sign Giolito unless they deal Pivetta ... Giolito may get a few million less but likely to sign for 2-3 years (considering options) while Pivetta will almost certainly opt out after the season.

Preller's question (assuming a trade is possible) how will the two compare in 2026 ... Pivetta regression? or Giolito repeating 2026? ... key if want to make the playoffs. Then factor if the return for Pivetta significant improves other parts of the roster.

Having said that ... a "creative" contract minimizing 2026 on Giolito might allow them to keep Pivetta but free up Vasquez or Sears as part of a deal to upgrade? Maybe a package of Vasquez - Laureano - Estrada gets them a long term LF upgrade? A lot to speculate.

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Canning is a wait and see on health with his recovery from the Achilles tendon injury. Is throwing but caution not not aggravate it .... may see the IL to start if a concern. Also, in a crowded staff, some though of him being that swing man as spot starter / long relief.

Marquez is a wild card ... Black probably saw something in his return from two years of injury in 2025. So with that year under his belt plus some adjustment to his repertoire ... MIGHT see a strong #5 or even a legit middle of the rotation arm. TBD.

Quote from fenn68 on February 16, 2026, 3:31 pm

The Padres announced Monday that they’ve signed right-hander Germán Márquez to a one-year deal with a mutual option for 2027. The L.A. Sports Management client is reportedly guaranteed $1.75MM. San Diego placed righty Jhony Brito, who underwent internal brace surgery last May, on the 60-day injured list to open a spot on the 40-man roster.

Quote from BoosterSD on February 16, 2026, 7:29 pm

The Padres are adding Walker Buehler on a minor league contract, reports Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune. The Excel Sports Management client will aim to win a rotation job during Spring Training.

Quote from WindsorUK on February 17, 2026, 1:32 am

I guess all these signings could lead to a more expensive salary( a Pivetta, Laureano, or Sheets) being moved?

If one of the multiple of players signed this month gets hot in Spring Training, maybe AJ creates a package( with a bullpen arm) that brings in a more impactful player?

Quote from fenn68 on February 17, 2026, 5:24 am

Agree all these veteran signings are setting up some level of  trades at some point.

A cluster of Vasquez - Sears - Waldron - Canning - Marquez - Hart - Buehler - McKenzie - Gonzalez at best are battling for a mid to bottom of the rotation role ... with the new options carrying some greater risk of injury than others. Where I struggle with trading Pivetta is that none of these options is a reliable option to Pivetta (and not getting a better ML pitcher back in a trade). So, if want to contend ... need to stick with Pivetta. From a different perspective, any team trading for Pivetta (1 year / $20.5MM) would be a contender and not going to give big return other than prospects ... again, not consistent with the Padres trying to contend.

Who among the pitchers really has trade value for a significant upgrade (even in a package)? Not the FA signings. Not Vasquez or Sears. Maybe a good (but not elite) piece using RP like Estrada, etc.

Similar thinking on batters ... Laureano (1 year control) and bounced around as a non full time player or Sheets (2 years control) coming off a bounce year and still viewed as a platoon 1B/DH ... some teams would trade for them but not getting much better than prospects in return.

So, IF a couple of these new FA click in ST and the Padres are "forced" to deal just to make the 26 man roster ... likely getting s0me prospects (long control / low cost). Also, IF a couple (think Buehler or Canning) become bullpen options the options increase. Has to be some push pack coming from the fact that all the FA are FA again after 2026 then role in Adam and Morejon become FA and likely Pivetta and maybe King opt out. Makes a bit of a case against trading Vasquez or Sears or Estrada or Morgan or .... all controlled cheaply for years. Some moves could put 2027 at risk.

Don't think they can trade any of the FA signings without their permission before June 15th (not that they would get much in return) ... so at the end of ST we should see some combo of IL and DFA to make the 26 man since most cannot be optioned.

From the Padres perspective (assuming not pressured to reduce payroll) ... what would it take to upgrade from any of the incumbents (and unlikely the Padres have the trade chips). A second catcher (can't see anything on the market) ... LF better than Laureano who was an above average hitter last season? Add that any real impact player likely carries a larger salary and short control (if a team is willing to trade that player) and that is also inconsistent with what appears to be the Padres strategy.

However, Preller is Preller ... so have to expect some creative trades ... but maybe for the near future not major impact on 2026.