Um ... remember when we wrote earlier about how, if the San Diego Padres were interested in controllable Yankees pitchers Will Warren and Ryan Weathers, then the two sides were likely talking about a more expansive deal than, say, a rental package for two months of Adrian Morejon? Hilariously enough, "liking" Warren is apparently not enough for Padres head honcho AJ Preller to send his lefty bullpen ace across the country.
According to Bob Nightengale, the Padres outright rejected a trade that would've sent 4.5 years of Warren to San Diego in exchange for Morejon, who will hit free agency the second the season ends.
Warren, who's long been a favorite of pitching factories everywhere, hasn't put it together for longer than fits and spurts in his big-league career, but he did open this season with a 2.59 ERA in six March/April starts before the wheels fell off somewhat. He's also coming off the strongest start of his career, hurling 6 2/3 shutout frames against the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Friday.
That wasn't enough to tempt Preller to weaken his bullpen bridge and send Morejon packing.
The San Diego Padres rejected a deal that would have sent Yankees starter Will Warren for valuable left-handed set-up man Adrian Morejon.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 3, 2026
While any trade value website will tell you he's foolish to turn down such an overture, the reality is that ... he goes for it. He doesn't sell unless the universe is screaming into his face that he must. With the Padres now sitting over .500 and their entire victory formula predicated on shortening the game —centered around Morejon and Mason Miller — we should've known that even Cashman's attempt to out-wild man the wild man wouldn't work.
Adrian Morejon postgame Padres quote made it clear Yankees trade was dead
We probably should've known Morejon wasn't switching sides when he left Sunday's Padres win with an emotional address to the gathered media.
"Everyone knows that I want to be here, everyone knows I want to stay here....I've been proud to be a member of the Padres, hopefully that will continue."
— Marty Caswell (@MartyCaswell) August 3, 2026
Adrian Morejón on the trade deadline @FriarTerritory pic.twitter.com/V1HfK9WRGg
Reading between the lines, it now feels like Morejon wasn't pleading his case, but was instead stamping an exclamation point on things.
And so, just like that, a series of fanciful Padres dreams die at once. No Morejon. No Miller. No Tatis/Bogaerts expanded package gamble. San Diego is going as full-throttle as this current roster is able to, and Cashman will have to fill a bullpen role before Monday's game after trading Yovanny Cruz (and hopefully spend less). Warren is officially off the table.
Unless ... you wanna get nuts?
