Report: Padres To Sign $130 Million Rangers Future Hall Of Fame Pitcher

The San Diego Padres, facing stiff competition from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West, are reportedly exploring ways to improve their roster for the 2025 season. The Padres understand that standing pat won’t cut it, especially with their division rivals continuing to grow stronger. One of the most notable rumors surrounding the Padres this offseason is that they are listening to trade offers for ace Dylan Cease. If Cease is traded, the Padres would have a rotation spot to fill, potentially opening the door for a more affordable veteran arm to slot in.

One potential addition is future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer. R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports recently suggested that Scherzer could be a target for San Diego, though he acknowledged that the prediction is a bit speculative. Scherzer, 40 years old, has made it clear that he plans to pitch in 2025, but his market has been quiet so far. Anderson speculates that Scherzer’s market may heat up after some of the top free-agent pitchers like Jack Flaherty and Roki Sasaki finalize their situations.

Despite being far from his prime, Scherzer still has value. In his nine starts for the Texas Rangers in 2024, he posted a respectable 3.95 ERA, 4.18 FIP, and 1.15 WHIP. These numbers suggest that Scherzer, while no longer an ace, could still be effective in a back-end rotation role. If the Padres manage to trade Cease for a large return—likely a mix of prospects and major league-ready talent—they could use some of that haul to sign Scherzer at a bargain price, possibly near the league minimum given his age and injury history.

This move would allow the Padres to retool their rotation without committing significant salary while still adding a veteran presence. Scherzer could provide depth and leadership in a rotation that may look very different in 2025. This could be a smart way for San Diego to balance financial flexibility with a competitive roster for the upcoming season.