They showed “late interest.”
But was A.J. Preller too late — or already plotting his next move?
Rewritten, Dramatic Article**
🚨 JUST IN: The San Diego Padres may have missed out on Framber Valdez — but the real story might be what A.J. Preller is willing to sacrifice to land his next ace.
When news broke that Valdez signed a five-year, $115 million deal with the Detroit Tigers, Padres fans were left wondering how San Diego — a team aggressively chasing October relevance — let a left-handed workhorse slip away.
Now, according to MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Padres were very much in the mix. In fact, they showed “late interest” in the Houston Astros standout before he ultimately chose Detroit. Toronto, Minnesota, and Baltimore were also in pursuit. But the Tigers, led by manager A.J. Hinch — who knows Valdez well from Houston — sealed the deal.
“For a pitcher with alleged flaws, Framber Valdez sure was popular,” Heyman wrote.
And that popularity reveals something bigger: the Padres weren’t just window shopping.
Valdez would have been a strategic fit in San Diego’s rotation. In 2025, he posted a 3.66 ERA with 187 strikeouts and a 13–11 record. Durable, battle-tested, and left-handed — exactly what the Padres’ right-heavy rotation lacks.
But $115 million is no small commitment.
And that’s where the intrigue intensifies.
MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand raised the question executives around the league are quietly asking: if Preller truly wanted Valdez, how far would he go to clear space?
“Whether San Diego can afford Valdez is another matter,” Feinsand wrote, “though few executives are as creative as A.J. Preller, who could move another salary — Pivetta or Jake Cronenworth, perhaps? — if he is intent on adding Valdez.”
That single line has sparked serious speculation.
Nick Pivetta and Jake Cronenworth aren’t fringe names. They’re established contributors. Moving either would be more than a payroll adjustment — it would be a statement.
Pivetta offers rotational stability. Cronenworth remains a versatile, respected clubhouse presence. But in Preller’s world, no contract is immovable if it opens a championship window.
San Diego finished 90–72 last season, good for second place in the NL West. Their postseason ended in the Wild Card round against the Chicago Cubs — a result that reinforced one truth: good isn’t enough.
The Dodgers remain a juggernaut. The NL is crowded with contenders. If the Padres want to “pop” in 2026, as many around the organization have suggested, incremental improvement won’t cut it.
They need impact.
Valdez would have provided balance to the rotation — a proven lefty capable of neutralizing dangerous lineups in October. His postseason experience with Houston only added to the appeal.
But the Tigers moved faster. Or perhaps more decisively.
The lingering question now isn’t just about Valdez. It’s about Preller’s next maneuver.
He has a reputation for bold swings — blockbuster trades, aggressive signings, unexpected roster reshuffles. When San Diego shows “late interest,” it rarely means the story ends there.
Could the Padres pivot toward another frontline arm? Could a surprise trade materialize before Opening Day? And if so, whose name appears in the outgoing column?
Money matters. But so does timing.
If Preller believes the 2026 roster needs one more shock to compete deep into October, don’t expect caution to stand in the way.
For now, Framber Valdez is wearing Detroit colors.
But in San Diego, the real drama may just be beginning.
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