Nick Pivetta Looks to Build on Breakout Season as Padres Gear Up for 2026
Nick Pivetta didn’t start last season in the Padres’ rotation, but by the time the dust settled, he was the guy. After joining the starting staff post-Spring Training, Pivetta emerged as the most consistent and dominant arm San Diego had. Now, as the 2026 season approaches, the right-hander is back in the fold-and all signs point to him being a centerpiece of the Padres’ push for October.
Despite his name circulating in trade rumors over the winter, Pivetta looks set to stay in San Diego, at least for now. And that’s good news for the Friars.
He’s coming off a career year, and if he can replicate-or even build on-that performance, there’s no reason he shouldn’t be in the Cy Young conversation. That’s the kind of upside he flashed last season.
Pivetta’s commitment to the Padres was on full display at FanFest, where he announced he won’t pitch for Team Canada in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Instead, he’s opting to focus entirely on preparing for the season and helping San Diego chase a World Series title. That kind of decision doesn’t just speak to his professionalism-it’s a sign he’s locked in on the bigger picture.
Padres Ownership Update: Seidler Family Reaches Partial Settlement
Off the field, the Padres organization took a step toward resolving internal legal matters. According to a report from The Athletic, the Seidler family has reached an agreement that resolves most of the legal claims brought by Sheel Seidler-the widow of late owner Peter Seidler-against Peter’s brothers, Matt and Bob. While some claims remain unresolved, this agreement marks progress in a case that’s lingered in the background since last year.
Still Waiting on That Big Move
With Spring Training around the corner, Padres fans are watching the calendar-and the transaction wire. It’s been a relatively quiet offseason for San Diego, and while the team still has talent on the roster, there hasn’t been a splashy addition to spark postseason dreams just yet.
That could still change. After the Winter Meetings, there was buzz about a potential blockbuster move from president of baseball operations A.J.
Preller. Nothing has materialized yet, but the window isn’t closed.
The big question now: Will Preller pull the trigger before camp opens?
A recent Padres Reacts survey posed that very question to fans. The answer could shape the tone of the season before a single pitch is thrown.
Veteran Infield Faces Key Questions Heading Into 2026
San Diego’s infield is a mix of experience, longevity, and big contracts. But what does that actually mean for this season? Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune took a closer look at the group heading into Spring Training, spotlighting the balance of leadership and production.
One name to watch: Gavin Sheets. The former White Sox slugger is getting a look at first base, and if he can settle into the role, he could bring some much-needed pop from the left side. Sheets has flashed power in the past-now it’s about whether he can put it all together in a new environment.
Around the League: Free Agents, Hall of Fame Hats, and WBC Commitments
- Veteran first baseman Carlos Santana is headed to the desert. He signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, giving them a reliable left-handed bat with postseason experience.
- Framber Valdez remains unsigned, and reports suggest his market has been surprisingly quiet. That could open the door for any number of teams-30, to be exact-to make a move. The Toronto Blue Jays are reportedly among the clubs showing interest.
- Outfielder Michael Siani has been on the move-a lot. He’s been claimed and designated for assignment multiple times recently, bouncing between the Dodgers and Yankees in a whirlwind few weeks.
- Carlos Beltrán’s Hall of Fame plaque will feature a Mets cap. The announcement makes him just the third Hall of Famer to go in with the Mets logo, a nod to his peak years in Queens.
- Jazz Chisholm will represent Great Britain in the World Baseball Classic, adding star power to a team that continues to grow its profile on the international stage.
- Eugenio Suárez is returning to the Reds-but he’ll be doing it with a new number. The veteran infielder is back in Cincinnati, where he enjoyed some of the most productive years of his career.
As Spring Training approaches, the Padres are still a team in transition. But with Pivetta leading the rotation, a veteran core in the infield, and the possibility of a big move still on the table, there’s plenty to watch in San Diego.
The pieces are there. Now it’s about putting them together.