The San Diego Padres' bullpen is a powerhouse, but will it stay intact for the 2026 season? A.J. Preller, the team's president of baseball operations, faces a dilemma. With a stellar bullpen and inflated player prices, how can he strengthen the roster without sacrificing his greatest asset?
Preller aims to bolster the team before the season, but the challenge lies in the budget. The re-signing of starter Michael King appears to be the most significant expense, leaving limited funds for further additions. The bargain bin might be the only option to find rotation help and an additional bat.
But here's the catch: Can Preller sign these players without cutting anyone from the current roster? So far, he's been true to his word, expressing reluctance to weaken the bullpen. The 2025 Padres bullpen boasted the best ERA in baseball (3.06), and despite losing closer Robert Suarez, Mason Miller (MLB Network's No. 2 reliever) and Jason Adam (1.93 ERA in 2025) are ready to step up.
The Padres' bullpen depth is remarkable, but with a projected 5 starters and 8 relievers, only 6 spots remain. The team has 18 pitchers from the current roster and non-roster invitees to fill these roles. Among them, Ron Marinaccio stands out, as he's out of options and must make the 26-man roster or be placed on waivers.
The Padres signed several RHPs to minor league contracts, including Sean Boyle, Evan Fitterer, and Justin Yeager. Yeager is a dedicated reliever, while Boyle and Fitterer have starting experience. Additionally, minor league relievers Manuel Castro, Francis Pena, Ethan Routzhan, and Ryan Och impressed the organization and earned invites to major league camp. Castro and Pena could be roster additions during the season, but they'll likely start in the minors.
Logan Gillaspie, a 2023 minor league pickup, has an inconsistent history but gets another chance with the Padres after re-signing in 2024. His spring invite is a testament to the organization's belief in his potential.
The 26-man roster competition is fierce: On the 40-man roster, 13 relievers vie for 6 bullpen slots. Jhonny Brito, recovering from Tommy John surgery, won't start the season but could return mid-season, with his role as a starter or reliever yet to be determined. The Padres also signed right-handers Ty Adcock and Daison Acosta to major league contracts. Acosta has yet to debut in the majors, while Adcock pitched briefly for the Mets last season.
Garret Hawkins, added to the roster during the offseason, will likely start in the minors, providing bullpen depth. Bryan Hoeing aims to reclaim his spot after an injury-plagued 2025, competing with Adcock and Marinaccio, who had a stellar ERA in limited innings last season. Lefty Kyle Hart will also compete for a starting job, and if unsuccessful, he'll join the long-man role competition.
The remaining spots will be fiercely contested by Jeremiah Estrada, Alek Jacob, Yuki Matsui, Adrian Morejon, Wandy Peralta, David Morgan, and Bradgley Rodriguez. Adcock, Hoeing, Hart, and Marinaccio are also in the mix, but only one can secure the swing-man or long-man position.
And this is where it gets intriguing: Estrada, Morejon, Morgan, and Peralta have thrived in high-leverage situations, while Matsui, Jacob, and Rodriguez excel in the middle innings. Rodriguez's potential for late-inning success adds another layer of complexity. MLB Network's top 10 relievers list includes Miller, Morejon, and Adam, making it likely that Morejon retains his high-leverage role.
Spring Training will be a battleground: While six weeks may be excessive for hitters, it's crucial for the pitching staff. With critical decisions looming, the next six weeks will be captivating, especially with the World Baseball Classic impacting preparation time. Borderline pitchers like Matsui, Peralta, and Miller will be closely watched during their WBC teams' tournament participation.
Controversial Take: Is Preller's commitment to keeping the bullpen intact a wise strategy? Could he be missing out on potential trades that could benefit the team in the long run? The bullpen's depth could be a trade asset, but is Preller willing to take that risk? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
