In 2024, the San Diego Padres completed five trades that included a major-league return. In one of those deals, president of baseball operations A.J. Preller acquired rental pitcher Martín Pérez. In each of the other four, he netted at least one player with more than a year of club control.
Additions like these could be instructive as the Padres approach another trade deadline. Dylan Cease and Luis Arraez have had disappointing contract years, but they remain key members of a postseason contender. Jason Adam has emerged as an All-Star setup man in his penultimate year before free agency. Bryan Hoeing is a useful reliever with three more years of club control.
Now, the days leading up to the July 31 deadline will provide opportunities for Preller to upgrade his current roster while also filling out a team for 2026. He has multiple needs and a thinner farm system than a year ago, which might mean the Padres have to settle for another rental or two. Still, Preller has made a habit of simultaneously seeking short- and longer-term acquisitions.
Let’s take a look at where the Padres can reinforce themselves this summer and into next year.
Lineup
430
Under contract
426
Under contract
411
Free agent
397
Under contract
366
Arbitration 2
287
Under contract
285
Under contract
218
Free agent
214
Mutual option
146
Free agent
125
Club option
95
Pre-arbitration
40
Pre-arbitration
31
Pre-arbitration
27
Arbitration 2
The core of a name-brand offense will remain under contract into the next decade. The Padres control Jackson Merrill through 2035, Fernando Tatis Jr. through 2034, Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts through 2033 and Jake Cronenworth through 2030. Next year, these five players will account for more than $85 million in payroll. By 2027, that figure will jump to almost $110 million.
These financial commitments help explain why the Padres have been so strongly linked to Jarren Duran, a trade chip for the outfield-rich Boston Red Sox. Duran is making only $3.75 million, and he will not be eligible for free agency until after the 2028 season. If the Padres manage to pry him away, it would result in a dynamic, club-controlled outfield of Duran, Merrill and Tatis.
Besides left field, catcher stands out as the Padres’ biggest need now and next year. Catching prospect Ethan Salas has experienced slow healing in his injured back, and he might not return until September, if he returns this season at all. Shortstop prospect Leo De Vries remains in High A, but he appears closer to the majors than Salas. That debut could come in 2026.
Upon De Vries’ arrival, the Padres could move Bogaerts back to second base, although the veteran is making a case to stay at shortstop for at least another season. (For what it’s worth, De Vries started five games at second base in the 2024 Arizona Fall League.) Cronenworth could return to first base, where Luis Arraez is a pending free agent. Another potential route: The Padres could move Cronenworth’s contract — the infielder continues to attract trade interest — and make current left fielder Gavin Sheets a first baseman/designated hitter again.
In any case, next year’s roster could use another right-side infielder and/or an additional DH option. De Vries is one of the top prospects in baseball, but there is no guarantee he will be a productive big-leaguer as a 19-year-old.
Yu Darvish, under contract through 2028, might already be in the twilight of his career. (Greg Fiume / Getty Images)Rotation
115 1/3
Under contract
108 2/3
Free agent
99
Pre-arbitration
68
Pre-arbitration
55 2/3
Mutual option
31 2/3
Pre-arbitration
29 1/3
Club option
13 1/3
Under contract
4 2/3
Pre-arbitration
0
Under contract
Yu Darvish, with his injury history, and Michael King, sidelined since May, continue to loom as second-half wild cards. Their recent progress has the Padres feeling optimistic about their starting pitching.
You can never have enough starting pitching, of course. At least in 2026, the Padres might face a shortage toward the front of the rotation. Joe Musgrove should be back from Tommy John surgery, albeit at age 33. Darvish, under contract through 2028, might already be in the twilight of his career. Although this season has not gone according to plan for Cease and King, both pitchers remain candidates for lucrative free-agent deals.
The situation does not yet appear dire. Nick Pivetta has performed like a frontline starter, and he cannot re-enter free agency until after next season. Ryan Bergert has shown promise as a homegrown rookie, and prospect Braden Nett might not be far behind.
The latter two pitchers also could be trade chips for Preller, who seems capable of just about anything. Would anyone feel confident completely ruling out the Padres on a rental starter like Zack Littell or a former Cy Young winner in Sandy Alcantara? Might Preller be bold enough to, say, pursue Athletics closer Mason Miller with the idea of stretching him out as a starter next season? The general manager is prone to exploring all avenues for potential improvement.
Bullpen
49 1/3
Arbitration 3
46
Arbitration 2
45
Pre-arbitration
44 1/3
Player option
41 2/3
Opt-out clause
37 1/3
Under contract
25 1/3
Pre-arbitration
22 2/3
Pre-arbitration
21 2/3
Pre-arbitration
8
Arbitration 1
4 2/3
Pre-arbitration
3 2/3
Pre-arbitration
1 2/3
Pre-arbitration
0
Arbitration 1
0
Pre-arbitration
The Padres last week became the first team to have three relievers pitch in the same All-Star game, and their bullpen could be similarly strong in 2026. Only one San Diego reliever, two-time All-Star Robert Suarez, is expected to test free agency this winter. According to league sources, Suarez recently hired agent Bryce Dixon to represent him. Dixon’s clients have included Nelson Cruz and Johnny Cueto.
Adam, who joined Suarez and Adrian Morejon in Atlanta, could become the primary closer next season. In the meantime, he could be an offseason trade candidate. Adam is approaching his age-34 season, and he’ll be due a raise from his current $4.8 million salary. David Morgan looks like a potential late-inning reliever, and the bullpen could receive an inexpensive boost from such prospects as Eduarniel Núñez, Francis Pena and Tyson Neighbors.
This month, though, the Padres would prefer not to lessen their relief depth. The bullpen has hoisted the Padres to dozens of narrow victories, and Preller may even attempt to reinforce a unit that has logged major mileage.
(Top photo of Jackson Merrill: Rhona Wise / Imagn Images)