Due to their current financial situation, the San Diego Padres are in a difficult position as they need a quality pitcher to replace Dylan Cease, who left in free agency. They did get German Marquez and Walker Buehler, but they still need a pitcher that had a successful season in 2025.
Robert Murray of Fansided thinks Lucas Giolito, a former All-Star, can provide the Padres with the solution. He would be an arm that did well in 2025 and would likely be available at a reduced price.
Giolito is in a different league than the Padres, who have already signed German Marquez, Walker Buehler, and Griffin Canning. With nine seasons of experience, he brings a potential top-half-of-the-rotation arm to the mix. This winter, team president A.J. Preller has set out to strengthen the rotation, and he would help it even more. Does Preller possess the money required to close a deal? We shall see. He arranged Nick Pivetta’s contract last winter in a novel way. Who says he won’t be able to do it again? In spite of budgetary limitations, Giolito would be the icing on the cake for Preller and company if he succeeds, Murray wrote.
Giolito had a 10-4 record at the end of 2025, a 3.41 ERA, 121 strikeouts, and a 1.290 WHIP across 145 innings pitched. He would fill out the front end well and take Cease’s place in the rotation.
Giolito is expected to sign a three-year, $61 million contract, but since Opening Day is so near and his market has shown no interest, he may be able to be purchased for a low price. And it might be ideal for a budget-conscious squad like San Diego.
There are other equally needy clubs that also need an arm, so perhaps the Padres can go to work soon.
