The Padres have a clear area to clean up heading into the 2026-27 offseason, and left field sits near the top of that list.
San Diego got by with a mix-and-match approach there last season, but a more dependable option could be on the table. One familiar name to watch is Trent Grisham, the former Padre who spent the 2026 season with the Yankees.
Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter put San Diego among the top possible destinations for Grisham this offseason, pointing to both the Padres’ need and his history with the club. As Reuter wrote, "The Padres had a revolving door in left field for much of the season before a platoon of Dustin Harris (100 PA, 120 OPS+, 0.9 WAR) and Samad Taylor (175 PA, 124 OPS+, 0.8 WAR) proved to be surprisingly productive. They could run it back with that tandem, but Grisham would provide a more established alternative, and San Diego is plenty familiar with his game," he wrote.
That familiarity runs deep. Grisham played for the Padres from 2020-23 and picked up two Gold Glove awards during his time in San Diego. Across those four seasons, he hit .214 with a .695 OPS, 55 home runs, 191 RBIs and 342 hits in 496 games.
San Diego sent Grisham and Juan Soto to the Yankees after the 2023 season in a deal that brought back Michael King, Drew Thorpe, Jhony Brito, Randy Vasquez and Kyle Higashioka.
Now 29, Grisham is coming off a one-year Yankees contract that came after he accepted a qualifying offer. In 2026, he hit .211 with 18 home runs, 59 RBIs and a .703 OPS. He was a little better against right-handers than left-handers, and he would also bring a defensive boost compared with what the Padres have in left field now.
That combination makes him a logical fit if San Diego wants a steadier veteran answer. The Padres are trying to take a step forward in 2027, and adding Grisham in free agency could be one way to start.
In Other News...
Padres Owners Just Raised The Stakes For A Huge Offseason
The Padres new principal owners, Kwanza Jones and Jos E. Feliciano, used a letter to season-ticket members to put their intentions in plain language: they want a roster built to chase a World Series championship. It was a notable message for a fan base that has heard plenty about ambition in recent years, but not always seen it matched with the results on the field.
They also acknowledged the clubs recent performance and said they expect to make significant moves this offseason to improve the team. Pitcher Joe Musgrove has voiced confidence that the new ownership group is serious about winning, and now the real test is whether that conviction turns into the kind of roster changes Padres fans have been waiting for. [Read more 🡒]
Padres Offseason Buzz Now Centers On One Rumor Fans Needed Clarified
As the Padres get deeper into an offseason already defined by payroll questions and roster speculation, one name has surfaced in the chatter: a Yankees outfielder who is expected to hit free agency. The connection has only added to the intrigue around San Diegos plans, especially with talk circulating about the club potentially looking to move money off the books while trying to keep its core competitive.
Manny Machado, though, is not viewed as a realistic trade candidate, even with those larger-contract discussions in the background. Elsewhere on the roster front, Ty France and Freddy Fermin have given the club something more concrete to celebrate, with both standing as Gold Glove finalists and winners set to be announced on Nov. 1. [Read more 🡒]
Padres Face Two Tricky Veteran Decisions That Could Reshape This Roster
Gavin Sheets gave the Padres a useful look this season, but his place on the roster is still far from settled as the club weighs a broader push toward getting younger. The outfielder and DH has been dealing with foot injuries, though the current expectation is that he can avoid surgery and be ready for spring training, which at least keeps him in the conversation heading into the winter.
Nick Pivettas situation is even more pressing, because the Padres have to sort out his contract shortly after the World Series while also monitoring elbow and forearm issues. His deal includes options, and a renegotiation is on the table, which leaves San Diego with a veteran pitching decision that could shape both the rotation and the payroll before the offseason really gets moving. [Read more 🡒]