Overstocked Padres pitching staff could be a gold mine for the Phillies this offseason

This offseason promises to be a weird one. It's filled with uncertainty and a virtually guaranteed lockout in just about a month. But teams must still progress with normal offseason plans, so we are likely to see plenty of moves in the coming weeks before the presumed lockout on December 1.

For the Phillies, a right-handed hitting outfielder is in the offing, but the club should also look to bolster its pitching staff, given the club’s shortcomings at the end of last season and the departures of southpaw relievers José Alvarado and Brooks Raley.

The San Diego Padres and their bullpen depth could be a gold mine for the Phillies in the weeks before the lockout. Should the Phillies hit the trade market for bullpen help, there's nowhere better to turn.

The Padres are losing numerous pitchers this offseason, and the Phillies would be wise to take advantage.

The top of the wish list would probably feature reliever Adrian Morejon, a hard-throwing left-hander who has delivered three straight sub-3.00 ERA seasons for San Diego, posting a cumulative 2.58 ERA over that span (and an even better 2.46 FIP). Morejon will turn 28 this offseason, meaning that he’ll likely get the biggest contract of any reliever on the market.

It could prove to be too rich for Dave Dombrowski and the Phillies, particularly with uncertainty surrounding the MLB salary cap situation. Perhaps shedding the combined salaries of Alvarado and Raley could come close to offsetting a potential Morejon contract. The Padres did extend a qualifying offer to their departing lefty, so the ball is in his court before the Phillies or anyone else begins a full pursuit.

Jason Adam is a cheaper option from the right side. The 2025 All-Star fought through some injuries last year but was effective over 38 relief appearances. The 35-year-old right-hander has a 2.68 career ERA over 379 games, but last year felt like the beginning of a decline. His strikeout rate fell by almost 50%. He wouldn’t cost as much as Morejon, but Adam would make more than any Phillies reliever not named Jhoan Duran, who is due a raise. 

In more financially viable moves, the Phillies should show interest in veteran swingmen like Padres free agents Griffin Canning, Lucas Giolito, or Walker Buehler. Canning had some lousy luck for the Friars in 2026 (a 5.68 ERA versus a 4.75 FIP), and the 30-year-old would likely be receptive to an offer to serve as rotational depth after the Padres declined his option following the season.

Giolito would come even cheaper, as the Padres also declined his option following a short, ineffective stint that ended with an IL stint due to elbow inflammation. 31-year-old Giolito is now several years removed from his time as a viable starter, but he could be worth a low-risk dart throw, especially if the 2027 season ends up being abbreviated.

Buehler had a healthy 2026 for San Diego, making 32 starts, albeit with a 4.63 ERA. He did cut his walk rate and up his strikeout rate from the previous season, however, and could return to a Phillies team that he had a brief spurt of success with to end 2025.

As for Mize, the 2025 All-Star was dealt from Detroit to San Diego at last season’s trade deadline and was horrific over 44.2 innings for the Padres. They seem to have soured on him, quite understandably, after surrendering former first-round pick Kash Mayfield in the deal to acquire him, and the Phillies could swoop in if no team is willing to offer him a rotation spot outright. A one-year deal to rebuild his value out of the 'pen might be in order.

The Phillies lack enough internal support to fill all the pitching holes on their MLB roster for next season; they have to make additions through free agency. How far they want to go with that is to be determined, but the myriad Padres pitchers on the market seem like an excellent place to start.

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