The San Diego Padres face several key decisions this offseason as they gear up for the 2025 season. So far, they’ve refrained from making any significant financial moves and have largely maintained the status quo.
However, they remain in contention for right-hander Roki Sasaki. If they fail to secure Sasaki, the team will need to address their rotation, especially with Joe Musgrove sidelined for all of 2025 and Dylan Cease rumored to be on the trade block.
Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report suggests the Padres might target right-hander Jack Flaherty, potentially snatching him away from the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“Dylan Cease has been floated as a trade candidate throughout the offseason,” Kelly notes. “Given that he’s entering his contract year, it’s no surprise, considering he could seek a deal worth over $200 million next offseason. If Padres GM A.J. Preller trades Cease, he’s unlikely to remain idle in a competitive NL West. Adding Flaherty on a multi-year deal would be a strong follow-up. Even if the contract includes an opt-out after 2025, the Padres could still issue a qualifying offer and gain draft pick compensation next winter.”
Flaherty delivered a solid 2024 campaign, going 13-7 with a 3.17 ERA while splitting time between the Dodgers and Detroit Tigers. Los Angeles acquired him from Detroit at the trade deadline.
Adding Flaherty could significantly bolster San Diego’s rotation as they look to rebound from their NLDS loss to the Dodgers. If Flaherty replicates his 2024 form, the Padres might field one of the strongest rotations in the National League.
Whether the Padres actively pursue Flaherty remains to be seen, but he could become their Plan B if they miss out on Sasaki.
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