The San Diego Padres are reportedly open to trade offers for their top two starting pitchers, Dylan Cease and Michael King, according to multiple reports on Thursday. MLB insider Jon Heyman from the New York Post shared that the Padres are in active negotiations with the New York Mets, with key Mets prospects like Brandon Sproat, Jett Williams, and Luisangel Acuña potentially in the mix.
Earlier, MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported that the Chicago Cubs have also expressed interest in acquiring Cease from the Padres. Should a trade involving Cease or King go through, Heyman noted that the Padres would have the financial flexibility to sign a free-agent starting pitcher. In particular, they are reportedly considering Nick Pivetta or Jack Flaherty as potential replacements.
Jack Flaherty, 29, a native of Southern California, had a solid 2024 season, going 13-7 with a 3.17 ERA for the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers. While he struggled in the National League Division Series against the Padres, giving up four runs in 5.1 innings during Game 2, Flaherty’s overall contributions were praised for providing the Dodgers’ bullpen with a necessary break. After helping the Dodgers win the World Series, Flaherty entered free agency but has yet to sign with a new team. Over his eight-year career with the St. Louis Cardinals, Baltimore Orioles, Tigers, and Dodgers, he has posted a 55-41 record and a 3.63 ERA.
Nick Pivetta, 31, had a 4.14 ERA in 2024, including 26 starts for the Boston Red Sox. After rejecting a qualifying offer from the Red Sox, he became a free agent. Pivetta’s career record stands at 56-71 with a 4.76 ERA, spanning eight seasons with the Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies. Morosi noted that the key consideration for teams pursuing Pivetta is the draft pick they would have to forfeit, as he rejected the qualifying offer. For that reason, some believe the Red Sox could be the best fit for him since they wouldn’t have to give up a draft pick to re-sign him.
As the offseason continues, the Padres’ potential trades could shape the landscape of their rotation and free-agent market.
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