The San Diego Padres need to make some changes to their roster. Not because they're bad, but because the Los Angeles Dodgers are so good and steadily improving. San Diego can't trot out the same roster in 2025 and expect different results.
San Diego has been rumored to be listening to trade offers for its ace, Dylan Cease. If this is true, the Padres will likely trade Cease after the top free-agent pitchers sign this winter. That would open up a spot in the rotation for San Diego to add an affordable veteran.
R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports recently predicted the Padres to sign Max Scherzer in free agency, though Anderson noted this prediction was more of a swing in the dark.
"Scherzer made it clear that he intends to pitch in 2025. There hasn't been much buzz on him all winter, however, suggesting that his market may not heat up until after Flaherty and Sasaki's situations are resolved," Anderson wrote. "I expect him to join one contender or another ahead of spring training, with the identity of that squad hinging on how those aforementioned free agencies play out. Here's a swing in the dark."
Scherzer isn't what he used to be, obviously. But the 40-year-old still has some gas left in the tank.
It's hard to judge his 2024 season since he only made nine starts because of injuries. But, in his nine starts, he held a 1.15 WHIP, 4.18 FIP, and 3.95 ERA for the Texas Rangers.
If the Padres can trade Cease for a huge return and then sign Scherzer for near the minimum, it wouldn't be the worst idea in the world.
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