Offseason Outlook: San Diego Padres

The Padres won 90 games and made the playoffs for the second consecutive season. They lost in a tight wild-card series against the Cubs. Days later, head coach Mike Shildt retired and the team began searching for a sixth full-time captain of AJ Preller’s tenure. That’s because they’re facing two top starters and a closer heading into free agency.

guarantee contract

• Manny Machado3B: $301MM by 2033 (including $35MM remaining signing bonus)
• Fernando Tatis Jr.RF: $286MM by 2034
• Sander BogaertsSS: $200MM by 2033
• Jack Cronenworth2B: $60MM by 2030
• Nick PivettaRHP: 51MM by 2028 (can opt out after 26 and 27 years)
• Yu DarvishRHP: $43MM by 2028
• Joe MusgroveRHP: $40MM by 2027
• Matsui YukiLHP: 19.25MM by 2028 (can opt out after 27 years)
• Robert SuarezRHP: Can opt out with two years and $16MM remaining
• Vandy PeraltaLHP: Opt out with two years and $8.9MM remaining (also opt out after ’26)

option decision

2026 guaranteed (assuming only Laureano and Peralta return): $154.95MM
Total future commitments (assuming only Laureano and Peralta return): $1.022 billion by 2034

Arbitration-eligible players (service time in parentheses; projected salary provided by MLBTR writer Matt Swartz)

Non-tender candidates: Adam, Sears

free agent

Every offseason in San Diego has its twists and turns. This year it started within days of elimination. On October 9, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported that manager Mike Shildt and president of baseball operations AJ Preller were expected to return. Two days later, Shildt informed the team that he was retiring. A subsequent report by SDUT’s Kevin Acee pointed to discord between Hieldt and his coaching staff.

This is the third consecutive managerial role that has ended with a degree of controversy. Jayce Tingler seemed to have lost the clubhouse when he was fired in 2021. Preller and Bob Melvin clashed so badly that the Padres allowed Melvin to terminate his contract in the 2023-24 offseason and take the same job with the division rival Giants. Preller is still expected to return for his 12th full season leading baseball operations. This will be his fifth head coaching search and he is entering the final year of his contract. Reports from Ken Rosenthal and Dennis Lin of The Athletic indicate there is some tension between Preller and CEO Erik Greupner, raising questions about whether the Padres will re-sign Preller or let him sign a lame-duck contract.

The management search is well underway and may be completed within the next few days. Acee wrote last night that they had moved on to a second round of interviews while narrowing the search to a group of finalists. Albert Pujols was the only candidate to get a second interview. Bench coach Brian Esposito and pitching coach Ruben Niebra each gave at least one interview. Cubs bench coach Ryan Flaherty has also been considered a candidate, a former Padres staff member who appeared to be a runner-up when Shildt took the job two years ago. Obviously, front office hiring will determine how much of Shildt’s coaching staff returns.

The Padres should have their head coach in place within the next week or so. They always have a lot to do on the roster. This year is no exception, although most of their early selection decisions have been simple.

They will exercise $6.5MM in options Ramon LaureanoHe has performed extremely well since being acquired from the Orioles at the trade deadline. They’ll buy out the lefty Kyle Hart and backup catcher Elias Dias. closer Robert Suarez Will opt out of the remaining two years and $16MM of his contract, while Michael King It would be easy to reject his $15MM mutual option in favor of a $3.75MM buyout.