The short-term headline is simple: the Padres just lost two high-end starters. The longer view is a little more interesting. Because both pitchers rejected their QOs and are expected to sign elsewhere, San Diego is now in line for two extra selections in next summer’s draft — picks that will slot immediately between the fourth and fifth rounds. That’s not franchise-changing capital on its own, but two extra swings at upside in a draft can absolutely tilt a farm system if you scout and develop well enough. For a team that has to reload on the fly, that matters.

So this is the way to do it: collect the draft compensation, lean into your scouting advantage, and turn those extra selections into the next wave of cheap, controllable pitching. San Diego doesn’t get style points for “winning” the QO game. They’ll be judged on what they do with those picks. If they hit on even one of them, this winter’s losses could quietly become a long-term win.

November 18, 2025

31 comments

  2. Losing 2MLB starting pitchers in exchange for 2 extra 4th round draft picks doesn’t excite me. Not one bit

  3. >the Padres just lost two high-end starters

    So since they didn’t take the QO, they can’t resign at all? Or is it just understood they’re moving on?

  4. What a fluff, feel good, bullshit article. Padres are losing two aces because they can’t possibly compete with the power house big spending Orioles. But they get dart throws that might be good in 5 years. 

  5. Ehh cease was trash all season and Michael was hurt most of the time and then when he came back he was terrible. lol anyone remember that Mets game when he threw a yes hitter.

  7. Padres won 90 games with a 8-12 Cease and King missing most of the season.

    They need to pick up a starter but let’s stop overblowing the impact these two have

  10. Pretending like QO draft picks actually matter to this team is the ultimate copium

  11. Shit like this is a reminder that the Padres are not a serious team. At least it doesn’t feel like it. Got a bad feeling.

  12. The Padres will receive only 4th round picks for each player. Not many 4th round players make meaningful MLB impact.

  13. Well draft two extra guys named Dairy Longnuts and Lightning McQueen then trade them for a rental at the next deadline. The cycle continues.

  14. Go back and look at 4th round draft picks and see how many are “franchise changing”. The hit rate to even make the majors is around 35% let alone “change a franchise”

  16. Do it. They ain’t gonna get better. Get some residual for future prospects and get leverage in the cap

  17. Genuine question: can someone name me some current MLB players who were fourth round picks that are playing everyday?

  18. Safe to say the Padres are spinning back into mediocrity. Rumors of a potential sale and hiring of a placeholder manager don’t excite the fanbase nor point towards trying to compete again in 2026. This looks like the start of a soft rebuild.

  20. “Long term roster haul” is doing a lot of heavy lifting for two compensatory draft picks

  22. Galaxy brain cope. We’re losing 2 MLB starters and getting some mid round draft picks in compensation. 2 4th or 5th round picks or whatever it is isn’t gonna set the Pads up for the future

  23. I get what it meant last season but Freddie Fermin is going to have to be a fucking all star for me to not be made about that trade. I’d be so fucking happy to have Bergert and Kolek right now.

  25. I’m a broken record, but I hate the qualifying offer system because it means that these guys are gonna get worse contracts than they could’ve gotten without the QOs, and in exchange for that, we’ll get two lottery tickets that are incredibly unlikely to pay out. No one wins.

  26. Honestly, I don’t know if he thought too much about trading them at the deadline, but as soon as he committed to go for it I’m sure he was ok with getting the draft picks and restocking the farm, if that’s what it came down to. It’s a win/win, he was either going to sign them for the QO or get draft picks, and he went for it in a contract year and gave us a really good shot.

  29. Cool. Just in time to see on ESPN. So what should fans do while waiting for said exciting product to emerge?!

  31. Said it before, I’ll say it again: this (and any other FanSided site) isn’t worth wasting time on.

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