The San Diego Padres are navigating some choppy waters early in the season, with only one win out of their first five games. It's not the start fans were hoping for, but there's plenty of baseball left to play. However, the Padres are already facing some critical decisions that could shape their future.
The offense has been a major concern, ranking last in MLB for OPS and slugging, with a team batting average of just .182. Despite having star power in Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts, and Jackson Merrill, the Padres have struggled to score, failing to notch more than three runs in a game so far. It's been a frustrating watch for fans who know the potential of this lineup.
On the mound, the pitching staff hasn't been able to pick up the slack. They're sitting in the bottom half of the league in opposing batting average, ERA, and WHIP. This combination of underperforming offense and pitching has put the Padres in a tough spot against any team right now.
While the goal is to challenge the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers for the top spot in the NL West, the current trajectory suggests a different outcome might be more realistic.
A potential strategy for the Padres could be to trade some key pieces to regroup for a stronger push next season. Right-hander Nick Pivetta has emerged as a surprising trade candidate.
He was ranked No. 7 on Bleacher Report's list of trade candidates just a week into the 2026 campaign. With two more years on his contract after this season, Pivetta could be a valuable asset for teams looking to bolster their rotation for a postseason run.
The Atlanta Braves, New York Mets, and Houston Astros are mentioned as potential destinations for the veteran pitcher. After a stellar 2025 season with a 2.87 ERA and 5.2 WAR, Pivetta has had a rocky start to 2026, allowing 11 runs in 12 innings during spring training and six runs in just three innings in his first regular-season start. He'll get another chance to find his form on the mound Wednesday afternoon.
If Pivetta can regain his 2025 form, he could either help the Padres turn things around or become an even more attractive trade piece. Either way, the Padres have some big decisions ahead as they navigate the early challenges of the season.