Padres sign 2-time World Series champion, 2-time All-Star after Nick Castellanos acquisition originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The San Diego Padres have had a relatively quiet offseason until recently. Their first notable move came with the signing of Nick Castellanos, who was released by the Philadelphia Phillies. Castellanos’ goal is to help bring San Diego the World Series title the city has long desired.

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“I definitely can embrace that,” Castellanos said. “Fresh start, new group. San Diego is a very talented team, there’s a lot of veterans here. Also, the city of San Diego has never won a World Series. However I can contribute to that and lift this team up to accomplish that goal, I am more than willing.”

On Monday, San Diego made another move that could end up being significant. The Padres are in need of back-end rotation help, and they’re hoping adding Walker Buehler on a minor league deal will provide just that.

“The Padres are adding Walker Buehler on a minor league contract, reports Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune. The Excel Sports Management client will aim to win a rotation job during Spring Training. San Diego continues to stockpile potential back-end starters,” MLB Trade Rumors’ Anthony Franco wrote.

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Buehler is looking for a bounce-back season following his 2025 campaign. The former World Series champion was released by the Boston Red Sox during the season after losing his spot in the rotation.

“The Red Sox announced that they have released right-hander Walker Buehler. That the corresponding move for the Sox to select prospect Payton Tolle, a move which was reported yesterday,” MLB Trade Rumors’ Darragh McDonald wrote.

The Padres are aiming to return to the playoffs and make a deep postseason run. They’ll also try to win the NL West by outlasting the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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If San Diego is going to have any real shot at taking the division, it will need strong pitching depth — both in the bullpen and the rotation. Signing Buehler could end up paying off in a big way.

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