The San Diego Padres have yet to make a significant addition to their roster this offseason, but they are expected to make moves soon as they aim to stay competitive in the tough National League West division. The reigning World Series champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, have already bolstered their team by signing former Padres pitcher Blake Snell and outfielder Michael Conforto. The Arizona Diamondbacks made a splash by acquiring ace Corbin Burnes, while the San Francisco Giants strengthened their lineup with shortstop Willy Adames.
To keep pace with their rivals, the Padres are in need of significant additions, and R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports predicts that they will pursue veteran starting pitcher Max Scherzer. Anderson suggests that Scherzer, despite a quieter market this offseason, could join a contender ahead of spring training, with his final destination likely depending on how other free agency situations unfold. Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner and two-time World Series champion, has expressed his desire to pitch in 2025, though his performance has been impacted by injuries in recent years. In 2023, Scherzer posted a 3.77 ERA across 27 starts for the New York Mets and Texas Rangers, with his most recent All-Star appearance occurring in 2021.
While Scherzer may not be the same dominant force he once was, his experience and track record still make him a valuable addition. The Padres were close to acquiring him at the 2021 trade deadline, but the Dodgers ultimately secured him in a deal that also brought Trea Turner to Los Angeles. Now, Scherzer could potentially sign with the Padres as he enters his age-41 season, providing the team with the pitching depth it desperately needs. With Joe Musgrove expected to miss the 2025 season due to Tommy John surgery, adding a pitcher of Scherzer’s caliber could be a game-changer for the Padres’ rotation.
Currently, the Padres’ rotation consists of Yu Darvish, Dylan Cease, and Michael King, but trade rumors surrounding Cease, who is in his final year of team control, could further heighten the Padres’ need for a starting pitcher. In addition to Scherzer, the Padres are also competing with several teams for Japanese star Roki Sasaki, adding another layer of uncertainty to their offseason plans.
