The San Diego Padres have several needs address on their roster prior to the start of the 2026 season. The most critical of those needs is starting pitcher. Dylan Cease departed in free agency and has signed with the Toronto Blue Jays. Michael King also departed in free agency and has not yet signed with a team. Yu Darvish had surgery on his elbow following the 2025 season and the recovery will require him to miss all of the 2026 season. Only Nick Pivetta and Joe Musgrove are locked into starting rotation spots at this time, and with Musgrove returning from his own year-long absence due to surgery, his effectiveness is in question. These are just some of the reasons Gaslamp Ball readers have identified starting pitching as the most important part of the San Diego roster that needs to be addressed.
