The San Diego Padres have released pitcher Luis Perdomo after he was DFA’d earlier this offseason to protect certain prospects from the Rule 5 Draft. Perdomo was a solid option out of the bullpen after he was converted to a reliever in 2018 but dealt with injuries and ineffectiveness in 2020. He recently underwent Tommy John Surgery and will miss most if not all of 2021.

Meanwhile, the Padres are reportedly interested in a top tier pitcher for 2021 to replace another victim of Tommy John, the recently acquired Mike Clevinger. Names that have interested the Pads include National League Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer and Tampa Bay Rays superstar Blake Snell. Either signing would be put the Padres in serious competition with the Dodgers for the National League West championship, but even if they fall short, a Wild Card should be easily in reach.

The Padres already have a formidable rotation that includes Dinelson Lamet and possibly young studs MacKenzie Gore and Luis Patino, both strikeout machines that dominated the Minor Leagues. The back end would still include solid arms Chris Paddack and Zach Davies. Additionally, most of the offense will be returning including stars Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. The Padres are certainly going to be a playoff team for many prediction lists going into the 2021 season with or without a Bauer/Snell type addition.