Could Miller move to rotation? Your Q's answered in Reddit AMA

On Wednesday, Padres beat reporter AJ Cassavell conducted an AMA (ask me anything) on Reddit. You can read the full transcript here. But these are the highlights (edited lightly for clarity and brevity):

Have you heard anything about Mason Miller and David Morgan being moved into the rotation? And what are the chances of the Padres bringing back Michael King?

I suspect we'll learn more next week at the Winter Meetings, but I think there's serious consideration of moving both those guys plus Adrian Morejon. It won't be all three of them. But I'd be somewhat surprised if it wasn't at least one of them.

As for the chances of bringing back King … Very small, I'd say. The cost of free agent starting pitching is extremely high. More likely that the Padres are looking for the next Michael King -- an under-the-radar pitcher who could become a front-of-the-rotation weapon. They've been very good at finding those types of arms.

Ethan Salas (the Padres’ top prospect) has been a big question mark for us, especially when you consider the expectations that have been placed on him. It sounds like his back is healed and he's healthy. Is there anything you can add/elaborate on and is there any indication of what the organization plans to do with him in terms of Spring Training and where he'll start the season?

The range of Ethan Salas 2026 outcomes is so huge, it's crazy. If you told me he was healthy and was back as one of the best prospects in the sport, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised. If you told me he struggled at the plate and the back injury lingered, I also wouldn't be surprised. I can't stress enough how crucial this upcoming season is for Salas. Personally, I think he's got the makeup and the skill set to surprise some of the doubters.

Anyway, for now, Salas is healthy. I suspect he'll start next season at Double-A, probably not catching every day.

Any rumblings of upcoming trades? Jake Cronenworth's name has been thrown around. Please don't tell me there has been any smoke around Tatis.

I'm not sure I'd even call the Cronenworth rumors "rumblings." More just an understanding that Cronenworth is due $60 million over the next five years and is a very useful player -- one the Padres could theoretically get some value for, while clearing resources to allocate elsewhere. (Starting pitching?)

Those "rumblings" aren't rooted in any reporting. Just an understanding of the Padres' situation. That said, it's really hard to find a player who does what Cronenworth does. Jeff Passan's article on trade candidates at ESPN.com had Cronenworth as a 25% chance to be traded. I'd say it's even less likely than that -- maybe 15-20% -- but still possible.

As for [Fernando Tatis Jr.] ... I really don't think there's much smoke. Maybe something changes. But for now, he's too good and too beloved -- and the contract too reasonable -- to be dealt, unless you're completely blown away with an insane offer.

What has been the market interest in Arraez? What are the chances he returns at a fairly reasonable rate?

Haven't heard much on [Luis] Arraez's market, but the offseason is still relatively young. I think, of all the big-name departing free agents, he's the likeliest to return. But, as you noted, it would probably have to be at a reasonable rate. The Padres have too many needs elsewhere -- power and starting pitching -- to commit too many resources to Arraez. I guess we'll see what the market has to say.

Who do you think is the Padres’ biggest bounceback candidate in 2026?

Jackson Merrill didn't have a bad season in 2025. Just injury-riddled and way too stop-start. But, yeah, I think he's in for a monster 2026.

Any insight into the starting pitching options the Pads are pursuing?

I really don't think they're in on the biggest names. I've said it before: I think they'd love Michael King. But they're looking for the next Michael King -- a lower-cost, more unheralded option who they can turn into a frontline weapon. Like they did with Nick Pivetta and Seth Lugo as well.

If I knew who that was, I might have a spot in a front office somewhere. But a cursory glance at our free-agent starters list brings guys like Zack Littell, Aaron Civale, Tyler Mahle as that sort of next tier of starters. Not saying those are the guys. Just that range of guys. It's basically where they found Pivetta last year.

Or maybe the Padres find someone from abroad. I thought Cody Ponce would've been a nice fit. Maybe someone like Foster Griffin, who is returning to MLB after a couple solid years in NPB.

Do you see the Padres picking up a first baseman and true DH with slug? What are the chances A.J. Preller surprises us with a Kyle Schwarber?

I've been thinking about this lately. Can't stress enough how perfect the Kyle Schwarber fit is. That high-slug, high-OBP profile is perfect, and the Padres need a DH. I just don't think the Phillies would let him go. They'd match any Padres offer, right? And probably anyone else's offer, too.

Long way of saying ... The Padres need to find a Kyle Schwarber lite.