Nick Pivetta Emerges as Padres’ Most Valuable Trade Chip - But Should They Pull the Trigger?
As the MLB Hot Stove heats up, the San Diego Padres are once again front and center in trade chatter. With financial constraints tightening and roster holes to fill, the Padres are exploring all avenues to reshape the team heading into 2026. And right now, one name keeps surfacing more than any other: Nick Pivetta.
Coming off a breakout season, Pivetta has become arguably the Padres’ most valuable trade asset - not just because of his performance, but because of what his contract represents in this current market. He was San Diego’s best starter in 2025, posting a 13-5 record with a 2.97 ERA across 181.2 innings.
That’s not just solid - that’s frontline material. And for a team with limited financial flexibility, that kind of production at a relatively affordable price is gold.
But therein lies the dilemma: Do the Padres hold onto Pivetta and ride that value into the season, or do they cash in now while his stock is sky-high?
The Case to Keep Pivetta
Let’s start with the obvious - Pivetta was a revelation in 2025. After years of inconsistency with the Phillies and Red Sox, he finally put it all together in San Diego. He stayed healthy, took the ball every fifth day, and brought a bulldog mentality to the mound that set the tone for the rotation.
At 32, Pivetta isn’t exactly a young arm, but he’s not over the hill either. And for a team that’s lost key pieces and needs stability, having a reliable starter locked in at a team-friendly salary is a luxury.
He’s owed just $1 million in 2025 - a figure that feels almost laughably low given the going rate for mid-tier starting pitching in today’s market. Even with a backloaded deal that jumps to $20.5 million in 2026, he’s still a value if he repeats anything close to his 2025 performance.
There’s also the matter of his pitch mix evolution. After arriving in San Diego, Pivetta ditched his slider and added a sinker to his arsenal.
He leaned more heavily on his curveball, scaled back his sweeper, and maintained consistent velocity across the board. The result?
A more efficient, more confident version of himself. Credit pitching coach Ruben Niebla for helping unlock that next level, but Pivetta himself pointed to the stability of a long-term deal and a consistent environment as key factors.
If he continues on this trajectory, the Padres would be getting ace-level production at a discount - at least for one more season.
The Case to Trade Pivetta
But here’s where things get tricky. The Padres are operating under serious financial constraints.
Ownership uncertainty looms, and payroll is reportedly staying flat despite the departure of several free agents. That means there’s little room to maneuver in free agency, especially with mid-tier arms now commanding $15-20 million per year.
The Padres simply can’t compete in that space right now.
That’s why trades - not signings - are likely to be the primary path to roster upgrades this winter. And if Preller wants to make a meaningful deal that brings back major league-ready talent, he needs a headliner. That’s where Pivetta comes in.
With two years of team control (assuming he doesn’t opt out after 2026), Pivetta could net a package of young, controllable players - exactly what the Padres need to fill out their rotation, bench, and designated hitter spot. Offloading his 2026 salary could also give Preller the flexibility to add a couple of lower-cost free agents or take on another player’s contract in a trade.
And if the Padres want to sweeten the pot? They’ve got options in the bullpen.
Yuki Matsui ($5.75 million) and Wandy Peralta ($4.45 million) are both quality arms with real value, but their salaries could be moved to clear even more payroll. Relievers don’t typically headline trades, but paired with Pivetta, they could help San Diego reel in a significant return.
Other Trade Chips on the Table
Ramón Laureano is another name that’s been floated. At $6.5 million, he’s certainly affordable and could draw interest as a versatile outfielder with some pop. But he won’t bring back the same level of return as Pivetta, and moving him wouldn’t free up nearly as much payroll.
Jake Cronenworth is another intriguing possibility. His defensive versatility and reasonable salary make him a valuable piece, but he might be more useful to the Padres than he would be in a trade. There’s not much depth behind him, and his ability to play multiple positions makes him a key part of the roster puzzle.
The Clock Is Ticking
With about eight weeks until Spring Training, the Padres have work to do. They need at least one starter, a bench bat, and another offensive weapon - all while navigating a tight budget and a shifting ownership landscape. There’s still talent available in free agency, but unless prices drop, San Diego will have to get creative.
That’s where A.J. Preller thrives.
His ability to identify undervalued talent and pull off complex deals has kept the Padres competitive in recent years. But this offseason might be his toughest challenge yet.
Pivetta represents both a solution and an opportunity. He’s a stabilizing force in the rotation, but also a trade chip that could unlock the flexibility the Padres desperately need. Whether Preller chooses to keep him or move him could shape the trajectory of the 2026 season - and beyond.
For now, all eyes are on the Padres' front office. The rumors aren’t going away, and as Spring Training inches closer, the pressure to make a move will only grow. Padres fans will have to stay patient - and maybe keep one eye on Twitter - as Preller weighs his next big swing.