Joe Musgrove is projected as the Padres' 2027 Opening Day starter, but he hasn't made a big-league start since the 2024 Wild Card Round. With King opted out and many arms headed for free agency, A.J. Preller is leaning hard on a comeback. 🎯
Padres reportedly declined Nick Pivetta's $14M 2027 option, sending him to free agency, though the club hasn't confirmed. An elbow strain cost him nearly five months, but he posted a 1.45 ERA in September. Reliever Wandy Peralta reportedly exercised his $4.45M option, and the Padres have reportedly expressed interest in re-signing Pivetta.
Orioles are expected to decline Luis Robert Jr.'s $20M option, which could send him to free agency and give the Padres another shot after their earlier waiver claim. Health is the catch: a disc herniation and hamstring issue marked his 2026. 🩹
MLB Trade Rumors (Padres): Padres Decline Club Option On Nick Pivetta
Garrett Hawkins earns a C+ in Padres roster grades: 65 Ks in 54 1/3 minor-league innings, but a 5.47 ERA as command slipped. Still, with Adam, Matsui and Morejon potential departures, the fastball-heavy righty could crack the 2027 bullpen. 🔥
Padres' deadline pickup Casey Mize posted a 7.46 ERA over 10 starts (44 2/3 IP) with 13 homers allowed. The argument: a reunion in 2027 would just double down on a trade that fell short. Better to find a more dependable rotation arm. 🔒
Padres' deadline pickups flopped: Robbie Ray posted a 5.02 ERA after the trade and allowed three runs in 3⅔ NLDS innings, while Casey Mize missed the roster. Re-signing Ray, a free agent, would reportedly compound the mistake. 🔒
Luis Rengifo hit .291/.375/.409 in 38 games for the Padres, but he's a free agent coming off a torn ACL and MCL sprain, with roughly nine months of recovery. A reunion could work on a modest deal, with no everyday job penciled in. 🩹
Adrian Morejon and Jason Adam are both hitting free agency, and keeping both could cost roughly $28M a year (projected $90M/5 years for Morejon, ~$10M for Adam). The real question is whether ownership will also fund rotation and lineup upgrades. 💰
Manny Machado hit .350 with a 1.080 OPS this postseason and made MLB.com's All-Postseason Team. That October surge, after a frustrating regular season, puts pressure on ownership and A.J. Preller to build a deeper Padres roster. ⚾
Padres should aim higher in left field before circling back to Austin Hays or Ramón Laureano, per one opinion. Randy Arozarena looks pricey, so calls to Boston on Jarren Duran or Cleveland on Steven Kwan could be the smarter first step. Nothing is confirmed. 🔍
Jim Bowden projects Jazz Chisholm Jr. at six years, $128M with an opt-out after Year 2, with the Padres a fit. Power, speed and defense help, but a .231 average could leave San Diego holding the downside. 🎲
Padres bullpen coach Ben Fritz has agreed to become Arizona's pitching coach, another offseason blow after Michael King opted out. A growing free-agent list and a thin rotation make this a pivotal first offseason for new owners Feliciano and Jones.
A Ty France reunion could settle first base for the Padres, but it leaves open Gavin Sheets' role. Sheets hit .212/.313/.397 with 17 homers in 2026, so a DH upgrade is worth considering. France led qualified Padres hitters in OPS. Preller's call. 🧩
Michael King opted out, so the Padres have no ace for now. One column asks whether the front office should chase two starters for depth instead of re-signing him. King's likely nine-figure price tag, with the roster already aging, is the sticking point. 🤔
Padres face a Walker Buehler call: he rebuilt his value with 32 starts and 153 2/3 innings, but a 4.63 ERA, 4.51 FIP and ~4.8 innings per start make a reunion a pricing puzzle. A modest multiyear deal is possible. 🧮
Jake Cronenworth earns a D- in the Padres' roster report card. His bat sagged (.225/.629 OPS, a .144 start before a concussion sent him to the IL), though his glove and utility value could fit a bench role if San Diego adds a second baseman.
Transaction Alert: RHP Michael King has elected free agency and is now a free agent after his time with the team. 📋
Ben Fritz, Padres bullpen coach for seven seasons, is reportedly leaving to become Arizona's pitching coach. That leaves AJ Preller a vacancy to fill, and Craig Stammen needs a successor who can read relievers the way Fritz did. Ruben Niebla provides continuity. 🔄
Red Sox sent Nate Eaton to the Athletics for pitching prospect Jareth Rayo, but Jarren Duran's trade status is unchanged. Boston reportedly may shop him, and the Padres, who need a left fielder, could keep calling. Preller's phone: still warm. 📞
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