The San Diego Padres will be in the market for starting pitching help at the trade deadline. At 55-46, still in the race for both the NL West, and the top wild card spot, the team will surely target depth in the starting rotation.
Per ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Padres have expressed interest in Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Charlie Morton, who is in his 18th season in 2025.
“It seems very likely that Charlie Morton (3.47 ERA last 12 appearances) will be traded, within a relatively thin starting pitching market and a lot of teams looking for help -- the Padres, Yankees, maybe the Mets or Astros; a number of teams have expressed interest,” Olney reported. “In the past, Morton has had a preference to pitch for a team closer to the East Coast and his FL home, but he doesn't control that. [Orioles] GM Mike Elias does.”
The 41-year-old Morton hasn’t pitched up to his usual standard this season, pitching to a 5-8 record with a 5.58 ERA in 21 appearances (15 starts). He was an All-Star in 2018 with the Astros, and again in 2019 with the Rays. Morton has pitched better recently — as mentioned by Olney — which may persuade the Padres to make a move.
Additionally, Morton has pitched to a 7-5 record with a 3.60 ERA in 18 playoff appearances (17 starts). He was key to the 2017 Astros championship team, and the 2021 Atlanta Braves championship squad.
The Padres have gotten good production out of Nick Pivetta at the top of their rotation, but Dylan Cease has been inconsistent, and the team is dealing with injuries to Michael King, and Joe Musgrove.
Bringing in Morton would give the team an experienced depth option, while also providing them with a reliable pitcher in the postseason. If the Padres wish to make a deep run this year, Morton could an under-the-radar acquisition that would help bring that to fruition.