The San Diego Padres may need to look into signing starting pitchers in free agency this winter.

Joe Musgrove suffered a brutal arm injury late in the 2024 season, which will likely sideline him for all of 2025. San Diego has also reportedly been listening to offers on Michael King and Dylan Cease.

The team will need to replace Musgrove at least. There’s a chance they need to replace one or two other pitchers, too.

Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller recently linked the Padres to veteran starting pitcher Max Scherzer. Scherzer would likely be willing to sign a team-friendly contract this winter.

ARLINGTON, TX – JULY 4: Max Scherzer #31 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the San Diego Padres during the first inning at Globe Life Field on July 4, 2024 in Arlington, Texas.

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“Publicly, there’s not a favorite for Max Scherzer, who has had a very quiet free agency thus far,” Miller wrote. “It probably should be a tight three-horse race between these teams, though. And then the Padres just make sense because they need someone to replace the injured Joe Musgrove, which they have done nothing yet this offseason to address.”

Despite turning 40 years old last season, Scherzer is still a very quality arm. In nine starts, the righty held a 3.95 ERA with an ERA+ of 101. Scherzer has actually posted an ERA+ of 100 or higher in each of 17 big league seasons, aside from the 2011 season.

When healthy, he’s a very solid arm and the Padres need that. Not only is he productive on the mound, but he’s a known winner and a great competitor.

If the Padres are going to chase down the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West, they need to make additions to their roster. A guy like Scherzer fits very well.

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