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The San Diego Padres' 2026 campaign concluded with a disappointing exit in the National League Division Series, and now the franchise is bracing for a winter of substantial change. A total of 17 players from the team's major league roster could become free agents, signaling a period of significant turnover.
Below is a breakdown of all the players who could hit the open market, including those with contract options.
Unrestricted Free Agents
- Jason Adam, RP: Adam sidestepped arbitration last year with a one-year, $6.675 million pact. Now, at 35, he enters free agency after posting a 2.62 ERA across 34.1 innings in 38 appearances this season.
- Walker Buehler, SP: Buehler spurned major league offers to sign a minor league deal with San Diego last offseason. He made 32 starts and recorded a 4.63 ERA. The 32-year-old is expected to draw considerable interest from major league clubs.
- Ty France, INF: France joined the Padres on a minor league contract last winter in hopes of reviving his career. He succeeded and then some, establishing career bests in home runs (21) and OPS (.865). The 32-year-old Gold Glove first baseman has positioned himself for a lucrative free agent payday.
- Austin Hays, OF: San Diego signed Hays to a major league deal in August. The 31-year-old batted .316 with an .800 OPS in 26 games for the Padres, but went hitless in nine postseason at-bats.
- Ramon Laureano, OF: Laureano's season ended in June when he underwent hip surgery. Over 103 games with the Padres since being acquired at last year's trade deadline, he hit .236 with 16 home runs and a .736 OPS. The 32-year-old earned $6.5 million in 2026.
- Casey Mize, SP: The Padres acquired Mize from the Detroit Tigers before the trade deadline. He struggled with San Diego before landing on the injured list just before the postseason. The 29-year-old is still expected to command a sizable contract in free agency.
- Adrian Morejon, RP: Morejon was arguably the Padres' most valuable pitcher in 2026, logging 86 innings in the regular season and four more in the playoffs. At 27, he is in line for a massive free agent deal.
- Robbie Ray, SP: San Diego acquired Ray from the San Francisco Giants ahead of the trade deadline. He posted a 5.02 ERA over 43 regular-season innings and a 7.36 ERA in 3.2 postseason innings for the Padres.
- Luis Rengifo, INF/OF: The Padres signed Rengifo to a minor league deal in June. He provided a spark for the team before tearing his ACL in late August.
Player Options
- Michael King, SP: King inked a three-year, $75 million deal to stay with San Diego last offseason. He can opt out of the final two years and $58 million, and is expected to do so after a 2026 season in which he recorded a 3.21 ERA over 32 regular-season starts and a 0.64 ERA in 14 postseason innings.
- Yuki Matsui, RP: Matsui can opt out of the final two years and $13.5 million on his five-year contract. He emerged as one of the team's most trusted relievers in 2026, finishing with a 1.83 ERA over 64 innings. He is likely due for a significant raise on the open market.
- Wandy Peralta, RP: Peralta holds a $4.45 million player option for 2027. After finishing the season with a 3.61 ERA over 77.1 innings, the 35-year-old could exercise it.
Team Options
- Nick Pivetta, SP: Pivetta originally had a player option on the final two years and $32 million of his deal. However, after spending more than 130 consecutive days on the injured list, it converted to a team option. Following a five-month absence due to an elbow injury, he was solid down the stretch and into the postseason. The team could exercise his $14 million option, especially with most of the rotation likely to depart.
- Kyle Hart, RP: Hart has a $2.5 million team option for 2027. He posted a 4.92 ERA over 64 innings this season.
Mutual Options
- Miguel Andujar, INF/OF: Andujar joined the Padres last offseason on a one-year, $4 million deal. He has an $8 million mutual option that will be declined, allowing him to enter free agency. He hit .259 with five home runs and a .726 OPS across 74 games.
- Griffin Canning, RP: Canning signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with San Diego before the 2026 season. He has a $5 million mutual option that will be declined. The 30-year-old recorded a 5.68 ERA over 88.2 innings this season.
- Lucas Giolito, SP: The Padres signed Giolito in April to stabilize their rotation. He had a 5.16 ERA across 29.2 innings before an elbow injury in June ended his season. He did not return. His $8 million mutual option will be declined.
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Noah Camras graduated from the University of Southern California in 2022 with a B.A. in Journalism and a minor in sports media studies. He was born and raised in Los Angeles and has extensively covered Southern California sports in his career. Noah is the publisher of Padres on SI after contributing as a writer and editor over the last three years.