The Seidler family’s choice to explore a sale of the San Diego Padres is casting a heavy shadow over the organization, particularly as the club deals with financial limitations and uncertainty surrounding a potential 2027 labor stoppage while trying to stay competitive next season.
The situation is layered with complications, including outstanding loans and internal family legal disputes, all of which could slow the process for any serious bidder. Forbes has valued the Padres at roughly $2 billion, though that figure could fluctuate. The team’s sizable commitments to veteran players might drag the valuation down, while the possibility of sustained contention could just as easily drive it higher.
No matter who ultimately steps in as the leading candidate to buy the franchise, Padres stalwart Joe Musgrove has made it clear what he wants from the next owner: a commitment to winning above all else.
“We just want someone that wants to win, and is gonna take this as an opportunity to bring a Championship to San Diego, not a chance to make a lot of money.”
Joe Musgrove urges Padres’ next owner to prioritize winning over profit
“I think someone that has a desire to win is the most important thing,” Musgrove explained when asked what he hopes to see in new ownership. “I’ve been around teams where it’s more of a money-making business than it is a pride and wanting to win thing. I think the tone that Peter [Seidler] set here is something that’s kind of hard to move on from.”
Musgrove’s comments serve as a heartfelt tribute to the late Peter Seidler and highlight what defined his tenure as the Padres’ controlling owner: a relentless focus on winning and assembling elite talent.
Few owners would have authorized A.J. Preller to pursue so many high-profile trades and major contracts over the past decade. A shift in ownership could bring a stark change if the next group favors tighter spending and a more cautious roster-building approach, a development that could surprise both the front office and the fanbase.
Musgrove’s hope feels especially pressing given the current state of the Padres’ rotation. Both he and Nick Pivetta are in need of meaningful support at the top of the staff.
After missing the entire 2025 season due to Tommy John surgery, Musgrove is working his way back and has not logged 100 innings in any season since 2022. Before his recent injury issues, however, he was among the league’s most effective starters, posting a 3.05 ERA, 3.62 FIP, a 25.6 percent strikeout rate, and a 6.2 percent walk rate from 2021 through 2023. If he returns to full health and his workload is carefully managed, he could play a pivotal role in the Padres’ 2026 plans.
Even so, Musgrove cannot carry the team on his own. Should the Seidler family complete a sale this offseason, the hope around San Diego is that the next owner shares the same vision: investing in a roster capable of delivering the first World Series title in franchise history.