Major League Baseball’s offseason is here, and the San Diego Padres are making some bold moves that could reshape their roster. But here’s where it gets interesting: the Padres have declined options on three players—catcher Elias Díaz, utility player Tyler Wade, and left-handed pitcher Kyle Hart—sending them into free agency. According to Annie Heilbrunn of the San Diego Union-Tribune, the team opted for buyouts instead of exercising mutual or club options, a decision that, while not entirely surprising, raises questions about the team’s future strategy.
Let’s break it down. For Elias Díaz, the Padres chose a $2MM buyout over a $7MM mutual option. Díaz, who signed a one-year deal last offseason with a $3.5MM guarantee, played 106 games this season but posted underwhelming offensive numbers, slashing just .204/.270/.337 with a 74 wRC+. While his defense was considered solid, it wasn’t enough to justify the higher price tag. And this is the part most people miss: mutual options are rarely exercised by both sides, often serving as a way for teams to defer payments. In this case, the buyout was actually higher than Díaz’s salary, which explains the Padres’ decision.
With Díaz gone, the Padres now have just two catchers on their roster: Freddy Fermin, who appears to be the top choice, and Luis Campusano. But here’s where it gets controversial: despite Campusano’s impressive minor league performance, the Padres have shown a preference for older veterans like Díaz and Martín Maldonado, leaving Campusano’s role uncertain. Now that he’s out of options, could Campusano be traded? Or will the Padres circle back to Díaz or another veteran? It’s a question that has fans and analysts alike speculating.
Moving on to Tyler Wade, the 31-year-old utility player saw action in 60 games this season, showcasing his versatility by playing all outfield positions and three infield spots. However, his bat struggled, hitting just .206/.309/.252. The Padres declined his $1MM club option in favor of a $50K buyout, a move that feels more about performance than budget constraints.
Then there’s Kyle Hart, whose return to the majors after a strong year in the KBO didn’t go as planned. Signed in February with hopes of replicating his 2.69 ERA from Korea, Hart posted a disappointing 5.86 ERA in 43 innings with the Padres. While his strikeout and walk rates were decent, his low-leverage role and the team’s tight budget made the $5MM club option an easy pass. Instead, they opted for a $500K buyout.
So, what does this all mean for the Padres? With these moves, they’re clearly prioritizing flexibility and financial prudence. But the bigger question remains: are they setting the stage for bigger signings, or is this a sign of a more conservative approach? And what does this mean for players like Campusano, who seem caught in the middle? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—do you agree with the Padres’ decisions, or do you think they’re missing out on valuable talent?
