Even after adding Michael King back in their rotation last month, Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic reported that the Padres were hoping to add another starter before the season started. That being said, however, it appears that no deal is very close. Rosenthal and Sammon went on to write that the club has indicated to most players’ agents around the league that they recognize “they are not ready to move” in the consolidation market.
Rosenthal and Sammon suggested that the Padres might stop adding to get money off the books with another move, such as a trade. Nick Pivetta. There is certainly reason to wonder if that is possible. RosterResource estimates San Diego’s 2026 payroll at $220MM, which is a slight increase from last year’s figure of $211MM. For luxury tax purposes, this year’s $262MM is about the same as the 2025 figure of $263MM. There has been no indication that the club is willing to significantly increase their payroll compared to last year’s numbers, and sign a free agent in the middle. Lucas Giolito or Chris Bassitt it can cost between $15MM and $20MM in terms of annual salary. Dealing with Pivetta and his $20.5MM salary would, in theory, allow the Padres to sign a starter in free agency using that money while also bringing back a young starter or help elsewhere on the roster as part of a return package for Pivetta’s services.
A team buying Pivetta would certainly be a good reason for the team to hold off on signing a starter, and the team was known to be discussing a deal with the Mets last month and that Pivetta was one of the players involved in those discussions. Of course, Ramon Laureano, Mason Miller, Adrian Morejonagain Jeremiah Estrada were among the many names that appeared in those conversations. That deal didn’t work out, and Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported earlier this week that the talks involved Miller, in particular. “He didn’t go anywhere.” That’s not surprising, given the huge price the Padres paid to acquire Miller a few months ago. It’s highly unlikely that the Mets and Padres could still meet in a Pivetta trade that doesn’t involve Miller, though, and it’s possible that other teams looking for rotation help (like the Yankees) would be surprised by the right-hander as well.
Looking to clear salary isn’t the only valid reason for a team to wait to make an addition in the rotation. Another possibility is that they are just waiting to ask for lower prices. The team signed Pivetta in mid-February of last year, and Spring Training is fast approaching as players still on the market feel the pressure to sign. That allowed him to get him a four-year, $55MM creative deal that might not have been possible at the start of the winter. Waiting to see how the market develops would be wise especially if the Padres are interested in a similar player Zac Gallenwho falls into the same free-agent category this year as Pivetta did last year.
It would also make sense if the club is hoping to add a player from the lower end of the market with little guarantee. As teams fill out their rotations ahead of Spring Training, perhaps those left on the market could be especially attracted to the promise of an open lane to secure a rotation spot in San Diego. Return similar candidates Walker Buehler, Erick Feddeagain Jordan Montgomery are among the many jars that may have such a concept.
