Since the start of the offseason, all San Diego Padres fans and many sports journalists have discussed the need for starting pitching for the 2026 season. It is no secret that the team lost Dylan Cease for the 2026 season to the Toronto Blue Jays on a seven-year, $210 million contract. Retaining Michael King on a three-year, $75 million deal at least guarantees his contribution for this coming season. Both he and breakout starter Nick Pivetta have player options for 2027 so their services are not guaranteed beyond this season. But baseball is not guaranteed beyond this season, with the CBA up for renegotiation, so that is not necessarily a big risk.

If we assume the starters are currently King, Pivetta, the returning Joe Musgrove, Randy Vasquez and a battle for the last spot, then who gets that last rotation spot?

Returning from a two-week break over the holidays, morning show host Ben Higgins of Ben & Woods on 97.3 The Fan recounted on his recent Monday morning (Dec. 7) broadcast a conversation he had with Padres pitching coach Ruben Niebla after the King press conference announcing his contract. Although not recorded as an interview and not on video, Higgins reported that Niebla gave a rundown on current Padres pitchers that he knows will be coming to Spring Training as part of the mix for jobs in 2026.

Niebla had interesting comments regarding pitchers that Padres fans are basically ignoring as part of the 2026 season. He sees both Vasquez and lefty JP Sears as potential breakout players for the new year. As reported by Higgins, Vasquez had a breakthrough late in the 2025 season and Niebla expects him to take a step forward this season.

Regarding Vasquez, Niebla reflected on the pitcher not really being ready in Spring Training last year. He didn’t have his stuff refined, wasn’t in the best of shape and did not look great to start the season. As he worked his way through the season, his velocity and effectiveness improved, and he was at his best at the end of the year. Niebla has been in contact with Vasquez in the Dominican Republic this offseason and states he has put in the work, and they believe his pitches, and he, are ready to take a step forward.

Regarding Sears, Niebla called him a “dawg” with the best attitude and work ethic and is improving his cutter, which Niebla saw as an effective pitch for him and the reason he went to the minors after the trade. They believe that he can be the left-handed starter the rotation needs going into 2026. Sears has below average velocity on his fastball but with an improved cutter and good health he could definitely qualify as a No. 5 starter and eat innings for the Padres.

There is no doubt that more starters will be needed for the 2027 season but if Niebla is right about Vasquez and Sears, the situation is not as dire as many believe.

Regarding Triston McKenzie, who signed a minor league deal with the Padres, Niebla was not blowing smoke. Higgins stated that Niebla felt McKenzie has work to do and is not ready for major league hitters. Higgins also reported that Niebla is very excited about Ty Adcock, a relief pitcher signed to the major league roster.

There is currently no doubt that the bullpen is stocked with talent. They have talent to spare with the depth among the relievers. With five starters and eight relievers on most major league rosters, many teams don’t have multiple late-inning relievers who can also serve as closers or middle relievers, or even a long-man at times.

The Padres have utilized many of their bullpen arms among multiple roles while maintaining their effectiveness. The 40-man roster has Jeremiah Estrada, Mason Miller, Adrian Morejon, David Morgan and Bradgley Rodriguez all capable of filling late inning or high leverage situations. That does not include the returning Jason Adam, who will likely be ready early in the season to join the bullpen. Those six leave two spots for Yuki Matsui and Wandy Peralta, who are left-handed and give the bullpen the different look that a good bullpen needs.

That leaves newly signed Daison Acosta and Ty Adcock as depth and that is without considering Kyle Hart or Bryan Hoeing as part of the relief corp. The organization also has Ron Marinaccio, Alek Jacob and Garrett Hawkins available in the minors and on the roster.

Right-handed reliever/starter Jhonny Brito is continuing his rehabilitation from UCL surgery and, according to Niebla’s update with Higgins, will be ready around June to come back to the team. He began his career as a starter but was a reliever in his previous appearances with the Padres. A return to starting would probably be a gradual transition and could include limiting work and innings in the bullpen.

There has been speculation that the president of baseball operations, A.J. Preller could use his bullpen strength as trade bait to acquire players to fill the team’s holes at DH/1B or to acquire another starter. With only five weeks left before the start of Spring Training, the organization will be competing with the other teams in MLB to fill its needs before the season begins.

There are many quality players still on the market as free agents and multiple trades that will likely occur in the coming weeks. We will have an answer relatively soon if Preller intends to use any of the bullpen pitchers to acquire other talent.