4 under-the-radar trades Padres can make to fill rotation vacancies

Tremayne Person of Friars on Base outlines four hypothetical trade proposals for San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller to address the team's starting rotation needs heading into the 2027 season. Person argues that the franchise cannot rely solely on injured players returning healthy and should instead target established, durable starters via trade.

The proposed permanent trade targets include Tampa Bay Rays starter Drew Rasmussen, Los Angeles Angels pitcher Reid Detmers, Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo, and Seattle Mariners starter Emerson Hancock. Potential trade packages suggested by Person involve Padres players such as Luis Campusano, Ty Harvey, Tucker Musgrove, Elliot Lascelles, and Coleman Borthwick.