After a tough first-round exit in the wildcard round, the Padres face an impending question. With rumors of Mason Miller converting back to a starter and Robert Suarez entering free agency, San Diego’s closer role becomes vacant.

October 5, 2025

25 comments

  2. why the heck would we make miller a starter? Dude throws 105 mph surely that’s not sustainable over multiple innings compared to quick spurts as a closer

  4. If this were to happen, Morejon to closer and sign a BP arm? IDK if Mason’s arm will survive starter innings though…

  5. I’d love to have Suarez back. But he’s worth at least $10 million a year. Hopefully padres can work out another deal to keep him here. If not, it’s time for the Cuban Missile if Morgan somehow becomes a starter.

  6. I was thinking about this too. If they converted Miller or Morejon to a starter, you still have Adams, Morgan, Estrada along with Reynolds and Rodriguez as up and comers, with Peralta and Matsui as depth. A few AAA options too. I think we’d be fine.

  7. Convert Morgan to a starter. He has good stuff and reminds me of a Kolek/king transition. Probably leaning toward more Kolek side of a starter.

  8. Re-signing Suarez would definitely cost less than signing a decent starter. If Miller is to become a starter. 

  9. In this scenario, I’d make Estrada the closer. He’s got the most overpowering stuff, and would probably benefit the most from a steady routine, and he’s the only remaining horseman who’s not a FA next year. Plus, while Morejon’s not a LOOGY, it’d be helpful to have his left-handedness available when necessary. Imagine we’re facing the Phillies and they have Harper and Schwarber up in the seventh.

  11. Miller has 4 more years of control and if healthy he’s going to be getting a huge bag once he it’s FA as a closer.

    With the way he throws, the Padres will likely need to drop coin on him if they want to convert him which really isn’t even clear he wants that.

    How that could happen is buy two more years of control for 50M now over the next 6 years plus a signing bonus. The numbers are just an example yet I think most will get the point. Miller as an elite closer ain’t going to be putting rotation mileage on that arm playing at base salary.

  14. I guess it would mean we have three potential closers on the roster instead of five

  17. The issue with miller is he has t stayed healthy as a starter.  

    He would likely n ed to be babied throughout the year.  Not sure this is a great idea.  

  19. I truly believe AJ will have to work overtime, more than the trade deadline, because if there was any team we had recently that could have made it to the end it was this one.

  20. Suarez is gone. Miller throws 104, too much heat for more than a closer role. He would throw 100 as a starter but that’s a tough one to give up once Suarez is gone.

  21. I like Morejon to closer, Adam to setup once he comes back, Estrada in that mix in the meantime. Tbh I also have confidence in AJ/Niebla signing another BP arm or two that wouldn’t cost as much. Or maybe someone like Marinaccio could take a step forward to be a 7th inning type guy.

  23. We’ve never had any problems finding closers. It’s our specialty here in SD. I just feel like Miller is the guy & there’s no way o want him starting a game for us because I want that UCL to last a while & help pitch the final outs in the World Series for us

  25. I think there’s plenty of depth in the bullpen we saw the other 100 mph pitchers we called up this season so I’m not worried about it Morejon can be the guy. Having said that I love Suarez I feel like the social media community of the Padres doesn’t give him the respect he deserves. I think a lot of the younger guys don’t remember that Hoffman had off years or games too. But he was the man and I would be happy to see him return in 26

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