Despite losing key players and their manager, the Padres manage a 'B-' offseason, clinging to Wild Card hopes with a retooled lineup.
This winter has been a quiet one for the San Diego Padres, who have made fewer than a handful of moves. After a Wild Card exit in 2025, fans would have hoped for some meaningful additions to the roster in hopes of a deeper postseason push in 2026. It hasn’t been the case for the Padres this offseason, however.
It hasn’t been a complete disaster, but it also hasn't been anything to instill much optimism in San Diego fans. The Athletic’s Jim Bowden graded the Padres’ offseason as a ‘B-’ and predicted the club to yet again finish second in the National League West.
The Padres have been in the headlines more for their losses this winter than for their gains. Right-handed starting pitcher Dylan Cease left for the Toronto Blue Jays on a $210 million deal. First basemen Ryan O’Hearn and Luis Arraez both struck deals with other teams, leaving a glaring hole in the Padres’ infield that has yet to be plugged.
They even lost their manager soon after the end of their season as Mike Shildt stepped down from the position, citing mental, physical, and emotional health reasons. San Diego found its replacement in former reliever Craig Stammen, who pitched with the club for six seasons as recently as the 2022 campaign. Though he’s been with the organization for some time, it will be his first managerial gig. For a team with postseason hopes, Stammen doesn't have much time to settle in.
Where the Padres did do well this winter was bringing back right-hander Michael King. In a three-year deal worth up to $75 million, the Padres were able to retain one of their key free-agent starters. Though the deal has opt-outs after each of the first two seasons, the guarantee that he’ll be on the mound in San Diego in 2026 is a relief for Padres fans.
Outside of King’s return, the Friars brought in Korean infielder Sung-Mun Song on a four-year, $15 million deal and left-handed pitcher Kyle Hart on a one-year deal. Their role in this season’s roster, however, remains to be seen.
The Padres don’t possess a more talented roster heading into 2026 than they finished 2025 with, but they’re still more than capable of being competitive. The race for the division title may not be as close as it was last year, but San Diego is sure to remain in the Wild Card hunt next season. In baseball, a Wild Card chance is all you need. If they can get there despite their losses this offseason, the 2026 season would be a win.