Padres Interested In Antonio Senzatela

The Padres are seeking to strengthen an already strong relief corps and have interest in Rockies right-hander Antonio Senzatela. Senzatela is in the final guaranteed year of a five-year, $50MM extension, with a $14MM club option for 2027 that is unlikely to be exercised, making him a likely rental trade target. After limited innings from injuries including a torn ACL and Tommy John surgery, he struggled in 2025 as a starter before moving to the bullpen in August. His relief performance improved immediately, and in 2026 his ERA remains strong, supported by solid walk rates and improved hard-contact outcomes. His low ERA is also tied to a .195 BABIP, while strikeout rates remain below league average. His fastball velocity has increased since the move to relief.

"The Padres are known to be looking to bolster what is already a strong relief corps, and USA Today's Bob Nightengale writes that Rockies right-hander Antonio Senzatela is one of the names on San Diego's radar. Nightengale also mentions Aroldis Chapman as a Padres target, echoing Dennis Lin of the Athletic's report from a few days ago about the Padres' long-standing interest in Chapman."

"Senzatela is in the last guaranteed year of a five-year, $50MM extension he signed with Colorado back in October 2021, as the Rockies hold a $14MM club option (with no buyout) on his services for 2027. In this sense Senzatela is basically a rental player for any interested trade suitors, as that club option is unlikely to be exercised regardless of how well the righty pitches over the rest of the 2026 campaign."

"Since signing that extension, Senzatela has tossed only 274 1/3 big league innings, as a torn ACL and a Tommy John surgery led to two extended stints on the injured list. Finally fully healthy heading into the 2025 season, Senzatela struggled to a 7.42 ERA over 108 innings and 23 starts before the Rockies moved him to the bullpen in August. The role switch seemed to work immediately, as Senzatela then delivered a 2.86 ERA over his first 22 innings as a reliever."

"As one might expect, Senzatela's move to relief pitching has bumped his velocity - after averaging 94.2mph on his fastball prior to 2026, Senzatela is now up to 97.1mph. Moreso than just the velo, Se"

Read at MLB Trade Rumors