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The San Diego Padres are gearing up for a whirlwind offseason, with expectations of significant activity across the roster. From reshaping the starting rotation to addressing key free agents and navigating the uncertainty of a potential MLB lockout, the front office faces a busy few months.
One name reportedly on their radar is two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, whose addition would transform the rotation from a question mark—especially if Michael King departs—into a formidable strength. Such a move would also send a clear message to the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers by poaching a cornerstone of their pitching staff.
But according to Sports Illustrated's Nicholas Selbe, Skubal isn't the only Dodgers pitcher San Diego might target. Selbe predicts that reliever Alex Vesia will sign with the Padres on a two-year, $20 million deal, further reinforcing one of baseball's elite bullpens.
"It's difficult to find a reliever as consistent as Vesia, who's developed into one of the sport's most dependable southpaws since becoming a fixture in the Dodgers bullpen in 2021," SI's Will Lawa wrote. "Over his six years in Los Angeles, Vesia has a 2.87 ERA with a 32.6% strikeout rate in 332 innings, and has remarkably put up a zero in 28 of his 31 postseason appearances. He even showcased an improved changeup this year to help him deal with righties more effectively. The only thing preventing Vesia from getting a shot as a closer is his propensity for walks (fourth percentile in MLB in 2026), but he otherwise features a remarkably risk-free profile for a reliever and should be a popular man on the open market."
Why Vesia Fits San Diego
For the Padres, adding Vesia makes strategic sense. The team already has a lockdown closer in Mason Miller, so they don't need Vesia to fill that role. However, they are likely to lose top left-handed reliever Adrian Morejon, who is expected to command a contract beyond their budget. Morejon, one of the best setup men in the game, is projected to be paid like a closer or starter given his age, recent dominance, and the current free agent market.
By signing Vesia, San Diego would secure a comparable left-handed arm for the bullpen at a much lower cost, maintaining their relief corps' strength without breaking the bank.