Padres Rotation Unravels as Offseason Opens
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The Padres' most consequential offseason move arrived before voters had finished casting ballots. CEO Erik Greupner promoted Chris Connolly to executive vice president and chief marketing and operations officer — making Connolly the top non-baseball executive at the club, overseeing business operations, marketing, and the ballpark experience. The move signals ownership's intent to build out front-office infrastructure alongside the baseball operation.
The roster picture is considerably more complicated. Right-hander Michael King, 31, opted out of the final two years of his contract on October 29th, walking away from $58 million owed and accepting a $5 million buyout. The move reflects King's confidence in what an open market will pay for one of the more reliable starters in baseball last season. For the Padres, it means their most dependable arm is now a free agent they would have to outbid other teams to re-sign.
The club separately declined Nick Pivetta's $14 million option for 2027, reported November 1st — leaving two rotation spots that were occupied last season now potentially vacated. Bullpen coach Ben Fritz has agreed in principle to become Arizona's pitching coach, adding a development-side departure to the mix.
On the other side of the ledger, Kyle Hart's $2.5 million option was exercised, Yuki Matsui and Wandy Peralta elected not to opt out of their deals, and left-hander Luis Gutierrez was added to the 40-man roster. Most significantly, the club extended Adrián Morejón a qualifying offer on November 2nd — a one-year, $23.15 million tender to the 27-year-old left-hander. Morejón has until November 17th to accept or decline. If he signs elsewhere, the Padres receive draft compensation. Closer Mason Miller earned a National League Reliever of the Year finalist nod, underscoring his value as a retention priority heading into what figures to be a competitive winter for starting pitching.
SDSU football earned a brief mention amid the offseason noise: the Aztecs defeated Washington State 26-20 and need two wins in their final three games to reach bowl eligibility. They are on bye this week before hosting Utah State on November 14th at Snapdragon Stadium.