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The San Diego Padres are not expected to be the biggest spending team this winter. In fact, the Padres are considered small sellers this offseason.
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Nick Pivetta, Jake Cronenworth, and even Mason Miller have all been mentioned in trade talks. With a starting rotation in need, the Padres are trying to find ways to manage money and find new starters.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Padres are involved in the rotation market, despite the high price tag for top starters. Despite the cap, AJ Preller is as active as ever this winter.
Padres active in SP market despite salary caps
With the team on the verge of being sold, the Padres are expected to cut payroll, which could even include the departure of veterans like Pivetta, Cronenworth, Jeremiah Estrada, Adrian Morejon and Ramon Laureano.
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But despite the uncertainty about the future, Passan still sees the Padres as a buyer in the rotation market. While some other teams may be bigger players on the free agent market, the Padres have been mentioned among other clubs with more opportunities this winter.
“The Houston Astros are in the mix,” Passan wrote, “the Yankees are getting involved, the Los Angeles Angels are still part of the conversation, the Cubs still have access to an arm, and the San Diego Padres are as involved as ever.”
AJ Preller is always active in the offseason, whether cutting payroll or adding talent; the Padres executive intends to make moves this offseason.
more: Ethan Salas surfaces in trade rumors as Padres make move in offseason
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However, their interest in the top starting pitching market (a market in which Passan mentioned the Padres are active) is an interesting update given that the current situation dictates that the Padres are sellers.
San Diego needs rotation help, but being active in the top market isn’t the most likely outcome for the Padres this winter. For the Padres, pursuing cheaper second-tier starters makes the most sense.
It also makes sense to target starting pitchers on the trade market, as those options are cheaper and potentially easier to control.
While the Padres likely won’t be spending the most money in free agency this offseason, updates on Passan’s interest in the rotation are worth paying particularly close attention to. Despite signs of a slight sell-off this offseason, San Diego could be getting a quality starter this winter.
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