A new MLB rumor claims the San Diego Padres are planning to ask one of their top young stars to make a major position change in 2026.
After winning 93 games and reaching the Divisional Round of the 2024 MLB Playoffs, the Padres were hoping to take another big step closer to winning the franchise’s first World Series in 2025. It’s why they made trades for Freddy Fermin, Ramón Laureano, Ryan O’Hearn, JP Sears, and gifted young fireballer Mason Miller before the trade deadline.
Unfortunately, the moves did not turn San Diego into a top threat to defending champs, the Los Angeles Dodgers. They ended up winning three fewer games in 2025 and were ousted in the Wild Card Round by the Chicago Cubs.
The assumption would be that the Pads will be aggressive this winter as they look to make moves to bring in outside talent that can help achieve the ultimate goal. But for the last year, rumors have persisted that San Diego’s ownership wants to slash spending. It’s why they are unlikely to re-sign Dylan Cease and Michael King, and there have even been rumors about trading Fernando Tatis Jr.
Mason Miller headed to the Padres’ starting rotation?
If they make big changes, it will be from within. They started in the dugout when they hired Craig Stammen after Mike Shildt surprisingly retired. Now, according to a new report, the next move will be to again try and transition some relievers into starting pitchers, and that will include young star Mason Miller.
Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic claim Padres general manager AJ Preller plans to approach Mason Miller, Adrian Morejon, and David Morgan about potentially converting to starters soon. The GM has done this with Drew Pomeranz, Seth Lugo, and Michael King in previous seasons. And just like the aforementioned three, he will want to make sure they are all in on the move. If they are hesitant about the switch, they will stay in the bullpen.
- Mason Miller stats: 22 saves, 2.63 ERA, 0.908 WHIP, 104 strikeouts, 28 walks, 61.2 innings pitched
There have been rumblings for some time that Miller could eventually be moved from being a reliever to a starter. Furthermore, converting relievers has been a fast-growing and cost-efficient trend in baseball over the last few years. It has created a lot of success stories, including Garrett Crochet and Seth Lugo.
