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The Padres’ 2025-2026 offseason is underway. What does their payroll look like ahead of any possible moves they may make?
It’s officially the offseason in San Diego. Unfortunately, the Padres’ playoff run was cut short in the Wild Card round in Chicago. That means it’s time to take a look at the roster and what we might expect from possible moves.
San Diego Union-Tribune’s Kevin Acee states , “It is not known where the Padres will land with their payroll. It is difficult to guess without a clear idea of what their arbitration class will be awarded. But for now, the Padres project to be easily under $190 million with fewer holes to fill than they had a year ago.
Given ownership’s public commitment to maintain a contender by investing every dollar it brings in back into running the team and considering the Padres broke their season attendance record for a third consecutive year, there should be little question that they can find a way to add some much-needed power to their lineup and round out their starting rotation.”
Let’s take a look at San Diego’s payroll situation.
There are a few players who are set with lengthy contracts that will receive bumps in annual pay between 2025 and 2026.
Manny Machado, Nick Pivetta, Jackson Merrill, and Jake Cronenworth will make a combined $28.3 million more in 2026 than they did last season.
Conversely, Yu Darvish‘s salary decreases by $5 million to $16 million. That is, if he pitches. There is speculation he may retire, but nothing on his end suggests that is the decision.
The notable free agents coming off the books are Luis Arraez, Dylan Cease, Ryan O’Hearn, and Jose Iglesias. Those players made a combined $31 million in 2025 with San Diego.
Ramon Laureano has a club option for $6.5 million. I think the Padres may break the buttons on their computer or phone pressing the “OPT IN” button.
Last year’s payroll totaled around $211 million.
Credit: AP Photo
The 2026 payroll is currently at just under $167 million, including the various buyouts. Acee’s article suggested the Padres’ arbitration-eligible players in 2026 will cost around $20 million total.
That is counting on the likes of Robert Suarez, Michael King, and Kyle Hart not being part of the 2026 squad. Notably, the Padres also enter the 2026 season not having to pay Eric Hosmer his due $13 million for the first time since they signed him to an eight-year deal back in 2018. They are finally free of that burden.
Counting the projected arbitration total, the Padres sit around $187 million heading into the offseason. If they want to maintain the same total as last year (let’s say $210 million), that means they have approximately $23 million to allocate for upgrades this winter. The good news is that the roster is a bit more set than it was last season. Laureano, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Merrill make up the outfield. Machado at third. Bogaerts at shortstop. Cronenworth at second. Freddy Fermin is likely the starting catcher.
The rotation will feature Pivetta, Joe Musgrove (returning from Tommy John surgery), Randy Vasquez, and Darvish, if he continues playing, with a collection of JP Sears, Matt Waldron, or Jackson Wolf on the back end.
The bullpen will lose Suarez, but everyone else will be intact.
The Padres need to add a legitimate first baseman and another bat that can produce as a DH or at least provide depth around the field while being a contributor on offense.
For reference, that is likely less than what Pete Alonso would command annually in a possible free agent deal.
The Padres may need to seek out that next tier of free agents like Rhys Hoskins, Carlos Santana, or Willi Castro. Perhaps this opens the door for the Padres to re-sign O’Hearn.
Native of Escondido, CA. Lived in San Diego area for 20 years. Padres fan since childhood (mid-90s). I have been writing since 2014. I currently live near Seattle, WA and am married to a Seattle sports girl. I wore #19 on my high school baseball team for Tony Gwynn. I am a stats and sports history nerd. I attended BYU on the Idaho campus. I also love Star Wars.
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