San Diego Padres 2025-2026 Offseason Wish List
With roster turnover looming, the Padres have a very important offseason ahead. Here's what they must do to remain in World Series contention.
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The San Diego Padres are coming off a rollercoaster of a season, one that ultimately ended in frustration.
Reaching the 90-win mark was an accomplishment in itself, especially given the roster holes and the inconsistent stretches. However, the Friar Faithful are looking for something much larger: the franchise’s first World Series title.
The Padres have built a solid core with immense upside, allowing them to make the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. Fernando Tatís Jr., Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts and Jackson Merrill are and will be the backbone of the roster for the foreseeable future.
In their last two playoff appearances, the offense has been the culprit for the team’s demise. In 2024, the team famously failed to score a run in 24 consecutive innings. And in 2025, the team mustered five runs across three games in the Wild Card Series.
Financial strains for the team recently became amplified with the news of the Seidler family exploring the possibility of a sale of the team. After locking up the core players long-term, the team’s financial flexibility has diminished over the last two offseasons.
San Diego ended last season at $211 million in payroll, and from what we know, that is the number the team wants to hover around in 2026. According to FanGraphs, the 2026 payroll is $201 million, and this is without addressing the rotation or an impact bat. This leaves the team with significant limitations on whom they can pursue.
This offseason, the Padres will have to make due with their situation and will have to hit on multiple guys in order to reach their ultimate goal of a World Series.
San Diego Padres Free Agents
- Dylan Cease, RHP
- Michael King, RHP
- Robert Suarez, RHP
- Luis Arráez, 2B
- Ryan O’Hearn, 1B
- Nestor Cortes, LHP
- Elias Díaz, C
- Jose Iglesias, SS
- Tyler Wade, UTIL
Among all the names on the list of upcoming Padres free agents, the biggest are Michael King, Dylan Cease, Robert Suarez, Luis Arráez, and Ryan O’Hearn.
Both King and Cease headlined the rotation, but both declined their qualifying offer. There has been no indication about the Padres’ intention to re-sign either pitcher. Out of the two, it seems that King would more likely be pursued, considering the team nearly moved Cease last trade deadline.
Suarez has been among the best relievers in baseball since assuming the closer role in 2024. However, given his age and the acquisition of Mason Miller, there is almost no reason for the team to bring him back with his current price tag.
A.J. Preller said that he would be interested in a reunion with Arráez; however, it doesn’t make sense for him to return. His play has slowly regressed since being acquired two seasons ago, and his current skillset doesn’t fulfill what the team lacks.
One of the many players that the Padres acquired during the deadline was O’Hearn. He carried over the success that he was having in Baltimore and put together a strong end of the season. He should be a priority signing given the holes, but that may even be to big of a price tag.
As for the remaining players, they are replacement-level and it is hard to imagine any of them returning to the team.
Top Offseason Priorities For the San Diego Padres
Completely Rebuild the Rotation
The rotation, which has been viewed as one of the team’s strengths, is going to become very thin, very fast. It is going to be priority No. 1 that needs to be addressed this offseason.
With Cease having a chance of being the highest-paid free-agent pitcher and King being projected to be paid $23-$28 million, the Padres are priced out. And Yu Darvish will miss next season after undergoing UCL surgery to repair his right elbow.
This leaves you with one reliable starter in Nick Pivetta. Sure, Joe Musgrove will return next season from elbow surgery, but it’s unknown how effective he will be. Kyle Hart was just re-signed, but his floor and ceiling are narrow. And the same can be said for Randy Vasquez and JP Sears.
Potential Free Agent Fits: Tyler Mahle, Dustin May, Brad Keller, Cody Ponce
Tyler Mahle was quietly having a productive season on the Rangers, pitching to a 2.18 ERA across 86.2 innings. He is similar to Vasquez in his ability to outperform his expected stats, but Mahle offers significantly more upside.
His lengthy injury history has lowered his price tag, making him worth a look to fill in the middle of the rotation.
If the front office is prioritizing upside, Dustin May fits that profile perfectly. Despite his recent injury history and time spent bouncing between the rotation and bullpen, his stuff remains elite. Another year removed from elbow surgery, there’s a real chance for a rebound in velocity.
May’s ceiling still resembles that of a No. 2 starter, making him one of the more intriguing swing-at-upside options on the market.
Brad Keller might be the safest low-risk, high-reward pitcher available and is coming off his best season. Pitching out of the bullpen, he owned a 2.07 ERA with 75 strikeouts across 69.2 innings. His Baseball Savant page indicates that this season was no fluke, with a sea of red across the board.
With his velocity jumping nearly 4 mph and experience starting, he could wind up playing a big role if signed.
Perhaps the most intriguing option out there is someone who didn’t play in Major League Baseball last season. Enter Cody Ponce, who is coming off a monster year in the KBO, pitching to a 1.89 ERA with 252 strikeouts and 41 walks across 180.2 innings, winning him the triple crown.
There is not a singular reason the Padres shouldn’t pursue him. At worst, he is your fifth starter.
Add a Power-Hitting Bat
Ranking 28th in home runs and 22nd in slugging, given the talent, it is disappointing for sure. Tatís and Merrill will need to step up next season to help boost those numbers.
It was a no-brainer for the club to pick up Ramon Laureano’s option, who was arguably the team’s best player after being acquired. This will ensure that he will remain the starting left fielder for the team, a spot that was a massive weak spot majority of last season.
That leaves the remaining offense to be generated by Machado, Bogaerts, Jake Cronenworth, Gavin Sheets, and Freddy Fermin. Even with the lineup being as talented as it is, another power threat would lengthen the lineup.
Ideally, this bat could play first base, with the chances of O’Hearn being re-signed very low. But with that being said, an outfielder/DH type would fit as well.
Potential Free Agent Fits: Nathaniel Lowe, Josh Bell, Miguel Andújar, Adolis García
After being released by the Nationals, Lowe was picked up by the Red Sox and played serviceably with a .280 average and a .790 OPS in 34 games. There is a history of power at the plate, winning the 2023 AL Silver Slugger award, and he could be an insurance policy if Sheets were to regress.
A reunion with Josh Bell would solve the power problem in San Diego. His 22 home runs would have been the third most on the team, and he can split time at first and DH. Being a switch-hitter does help him find ways to be an everyday player, even if his splits aren’t that great.
Durability shouldn’t be a concern for him either, playing in 140-plus games since 2017, excluding the shortened 2020 season.
Miguel Andújar enjoyed a successful season between the Athletics and the Reds. He slashed .318/.352/.470, and his .822 OPS would have led the team. Granted, this was in 94 games, but when you are in the position the Padres are in, you will take that production.
He would help against lefties, especially after mashing lefties with a .890 OPS. He hasn’t been able to stay healthy, but platooning with Sheets could be the solution to a full season.
After back-to-back subpar seasons, Adolis García was non-tendered by the Texas Rangers. Sliding into the fourth outfield spot or DH would be his ideal role. He is still a plus defender, giving insurance if Tatís, Merrill, or Laureano were to miss time.
Not needing to be the focal point of the offense could help García resurge to his former self. And his legendary 2023 playoff run shows that he can perform on the biggest stage.
Final Thoughts
By now, you should understand that the rotation will need an entire makeover, given who will be missing. How it will eventually be built out is anyone’s best guess.
On the offensive side, the lineup is put together, on paper at least. The question is if the stars will be stars.
Starting with Tatís, can he reach the ceiling that baseball fans are dying to see? Can Merrill take the next step? Will Bogaerts build off of his solid 2025 season, or will he slip back into being a below-average shortstop on a really bad contract? I have no real concerns for Machado, as he has arguably been the generation’s best player.
From now until the first pitch next season, projecting this team’s trajectory might feel like trying to predict the weather. For now, the Friar Faithful will have to sit and wait patiently to see if things come together or completely unravel.
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Ethan is an aspiring sports analyst who has a passion for all sports. He was a collegiate baseball player and is now finishing up his schooling…