The San Diego Padres spent much of the offseason quietly working behind the scenes, leaving many fans wondering if a major move was coming at all. For a franchise still chasing its first-ever World Series title, patience can feel unsettling. But just when it seemed like San Diego might stay on the sidelines, the front office made it clear they are far from finished building.
The first notable move came when the Padres signed Nick Castellanos following his release from the Philadelphia Phillies. Castellanos didn’t arrive quietly — he arrived with purpose. For him, this isn’t just another stop in his career. It’s an opportunity to be part of something historic.
“I definitely can embrace that,” Castellanos said. “Fresh start, new group. San Diego is a very talented team, there’s a lot of veterans here. Also, the city of San Diego has never won a World Series. However I can contribute to that and lift this team up to accomplish that goal, I am more than willing.”
That message resonated immediately. San Diego has never celebrated a World Series championship, and that reality continues to fuel both the clubhouse and the fan base. Castellanos is embracing the pressure rather than shying away from it, stepping into a team that believes it has the pieces to finally change its story.
Then came another intriguing development. On Monday, the Padres made a move that may not have dominated headlines but could prove just as important. With a clear need for additional depth at the back end of the rotation, San Diego signed Walker Buehler to a minor league deal.
According to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune, Buehler will enter Spring Training with a legitimate opportunity to earn a rotation spot. MLB Trade Rumors’ Anthony Franco noted that the Padres continue to stockpile potential back-end starters, giving themselves options as the season approaches.
For Buehler, this deal represents something bigger than a roster competition. After struggling during the 2025 season with the Boston Red Sox and eventually losing his place in the rotation, he was released. As MLB Trade Rumors’ Darragh McDonald reported, the Red Sox designated Buehler for release as part of a corresponding move to select prospect Payton Tolle.
Now, he gets a fresh start in San Diego.
The Padres are aiming to return to the postseason and make a deep run once they get there. Competing in the NL West means going head-to-head with the Los Angeles Dodgers, a perennial powerhouse that continues to set the division’s standard. If San Diego hopes to challenge for the crown, pitching depth will be essential.
It will not just be about the front of the rotation or the stars in the lineup. It will be about durability over 162 games. It will be about having reliable arms ready when injuries or fatigue inevitably strike. That is where a player like Buehler could quietly become one of the most important additions of the offseason.
San Diego may not have made the loudest moves this winter, but they have made calculated ones. Adding Castellanos brings veteran experience and urgency to a clubhouse hungry for history. Taking a chance on Buehler adds potential upside in an area that often determines postseason success.
For a franchise still chasing its first championship, these are not just transactions. They are signals. The Padres are not content with simply competing. They are positioning themselves to endure the grind, challenge the Dodgers, and give their city a legitimate shot at finally celebrating a World Series title.