Financial woes force the Padres toward significant free agency losses, potentially losing King and Arraez amid roster uncertainty.
The San Diego Padres’ offseason has been marked by uncertainty around the direction of the club’s roster. Despite winning 90 games last season and making the postseason, the Padres are looking likely to lose more talent than they add this winter.
San Diego is reportedly open to trading their No. 1 starter, Nick Pivetta, this offseason, despite already losing right-handed pitcher Dylan Cease in free agency. Star reliever Mason Miller has also seen his name thrown out in trade conversations just months after acquiring him at the deadline.
It’s all an indication that the Padres simply don’t have the financial means to be aggressive this offseason. General manager A.J. Preller will always find a way to be aggressive on the trade market, but don’t expect the Padres to take on extra salary this offseason based on the reports coming out of San Diego.
With their financial limitations, the Padres are also ready to lose out on key pieces to their 2025 roster that are now free agents. The Toronto Blue Jays already signed Cease on a $210 million deal in free agency, and Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly is predicting San Diego to also lose out on starter Michael King and first baseman Luis Arraez.
King has pitched 105 innings in a season just one time in his seven-year career, last season spending time rehabbing a knee and shoulder injury. Despite just 15 starts last season, King will still have a robust market of teams vying for his 3.24 career ERA. This means the Padres will likely be out on King, who acquired the righty in the Juan Soto-New York Yankees trade back in 2023.
With King more likely playing in a different jersey in 2026 than not, the Padres' starting rotation has many questions to answer. Preller will certainly have his hands full this season trying to field a competent rotation despite all of its potential losses this winter.
He’ll also likely need to find a replacement at first base for 2026, with Arraez likely out the door in San Diego. Arraez recorded a slash line of .292/.327/.392 with a .719 OPS in 2025 for the Friars. For somebody who provides little value outside of his ability to make contact, it was an underwhelming season.
Despite the underwhelming year for Arraez in San Diego, the Padres are still unlikely to bring back the three-time batting champion because of their financial situation. Instead, the Padres may be forced to slide Jake Cronenworth or Gavin Sheets to first as a band-aid fix at the position.
The Padres continue to be one of the most intriguing teams to watch this offseason. With the club possibly being sold and financial limitations hindering their ability to add to their 2025 postseason roster, Preller will need to work some magic to bring the Padres back to postseason level in 2026.