The San Diego Padres just got knocked out of the NLDS by the Milwaukee Brewers in four games, and now they’re staring down some massive decisions for the 2026-2027 MLB offseason. While everyone’s rightfully focused on the starting rotation, ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez just dropped a prediction that would be an absolute dream scenario for the Friars: re-signing a legit superstar in Ty France, who blasted a .865 OPS, and their dominant 2.38 ERA reliever, Adrian Morejon.
The Bullpen’s Back-End Boss
Gonzalez isn’t holding back, saying the Padres gotta find a way to get Morejon back. He sees Morejon pairing up with Mason Miller at the back of that bullpen to just keep shutting games down. And honestly, who wouldn’t want that? The dude’s got a 2.38 ERA and is a dominant lefty. He might not be the closer, but he’s maybe MLB’s best No. 2 reliever in the game, a perfect complement to Miller. The catch is, a pitcher like that is gonna get a ton of free agent interest, so keeping him in San Diego could be super tough. Still, the prediction is that they make it happen, and that’s huge for the pitching staff.
From Minor League Deal to Superstar Slugger
Now let’s talk about Ty France, because his story is wild. The guy signed a minor league deal with the Padres last offseason, and then turned into a legitimate superstar for San Diego in 2026. We’re talking a .865 OPS slugger here! But here’s the kicker: how real was that 2026 season? That question is probably gonna make his free agency a lot less intense than it would be for someone coming off a season like that. For the Padres, who saw him up close and know what he can do, that uncertainty actually helps them in the chase to bring him back. Gonzalez is guessing they get him back, saying, “The Padres need them both.”
Getting both France and Morejon locked down would be massive moves for the Padres’ front office, especially with new ownership taking over. Sure, there are still big questions about Michael King and the rest of the starting rotation, but securing these two would be an incredible start to this new era for the team.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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