Adrian Morejon made it clear that he is fully committed to helping the San Diego Padres make a postseason run after remaining with the team beyond the trade deadline.
The Padres’ All-Star left-hander reportedly expressed his appreciation to president of baseball operations AJ Preller after San Diego decided not to move him before Monday’s deadline. According to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Tribune, Morejon thanked Preller for keeping him in San Diego before delivering a simple message.
“And after that, now let’s continue winning,” Morejon told Preller.
Morejon had been at the center of trade speculation leading up to the deadline, with several teams reportedly showing interest. The New York Yankees were among the clubs most heavily linked to the reliever.
Despite the rumors, Morejon made it known that he wanted to remain with the Padres. One report even indicated that San Diego turned down a potential deal with the Yankees that would have sent Morejon to New York in exchange for Will Warren.
Ultimately, the Padres opted to retain their bullpen core as they continue their push toward the postseason.
Morejon Having Another Excellent Season
Keeping Morejon could prove extremely important for San Diego. The left-hander has been one of the team’s most dependable high-leverage relievers in 2026, working behind Mason Miller while establishing himself as one of the better left-handed bullpen arms in baseball.
Through 54 appearances and 62.1 innings, Morejon has posted a 2.89 ERA with 75 strikeouts and an 8-2 record.
The 2026 season is another strong chapter in what has been an eight-year career entirely spent with the Padres. Morejon earned his first career All-Star selection in 2025 and has continued to provide valuable production out of the bullpen.
Padres Clearly Believe They Can Reach the Postseason
San Diego once again chose to operate as a buyer rather than a seller at the trade deadline.
The Padres strengthened their starting rotation by acquiring left-hander Robbie Ray from the San Francisco Giants and right-hander Casey Mize from the Detroit Tigers. The additions were designed to provide much-needed depth for a rotation dealing with injuries while giving San Diego another boost in its pursuit of a National League wild-card berth.
At the moment, the Padres remain just one game behind the final wild-card position, trailing the Arizona Diamondbacks and Philadelphia Phillies in the race.
Preller made the organization’s intentions clear following the deadline.
“We’re trying to win,” Preller told reporters during a conference call. “We don’t apologize for it. We’re trying to win championships. We’re trying to get to the postseason and do it year after year.”
After struggling through portions of May and June, San Diego has recently turned things around. The Padres have won six of their last nine games and are beginning to build momentum at an important point in the season.
With Morejon staying put and the front office adding reinforcements to the rotation, San Diego is clearly betting on its chances of making a serious postseason push.
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