MLB insider says Padres should make 'no-brainer' move for ex-White Sox, Red Sox 3.41 ERA All-Star

Opening Day is around the corner, and the San Diego Padres are projected to be one of the National League's top contenders. 

However, their rotation faces plenty of questions. Joe Musgrove will reportedly open the season on the injured list after suffering a minor setback in his recovery from the Tommy John Surgery he underwent in 2024. 

San Diego could turn to one of its non-roster spring training invites to fill Musgrove's spot. They have Walker Buehler, Marco Gonzales, and Triston McKenzie as options. 

However, FanSided's Robert Murray struggles to understand why the Padres' president of baseball operations, A.J. Preller, hasn't reached out to a 31-year-old veteran who posted a 3.41 ERA in 26 starts last season with the Boston Red Sox. 

Padres should target Lucas Giolito in 'no-brainer' move 

Right-hander Lucas Giolito remains a free agent with Opening Day less than two weeks away. He's not the same caliber of pitcher he was during his first handful of seasons with the Chicago White Sox, but he could help the Padres in more ways than one. 

"I’ve said for weeks that the San Diego Padres are a great fit considering 1) the questions in their rotation and 2) how A.J. Preller loves stockpiling pitching depth," Murray wrote about Giolito's potential fit with the Padres.

"Adding Giolito this close to Opening Day, especially with the questions surrounding Joe Musgrove’s status coming off Tommy John surgery, would be a no-brainer move. Preller should consider it, and I believe he is. Adding Giolito would give the Padres the necessary depth it needs ahead of Opening Day." 

Giolito's propensity to allow home runs could be neutralized at a pitcher-friendly ballpark like Petco Park in San Diego. At this point in spring training, he may be willing to take a lesser deal to secure a roster spot. 

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