The San Diego Padres could lose six players to free agency

The countdown to MLB free agency is officially underway. Starting Thursday, November 6 at 12:00 am. ET, 137 players will be available to negotiate new deals—plus additional talent expected to arrive from international leagues.

Among the most closely watched teams this offseason are the San Diego Padres, who were knocked out of the Wild Card round by the Chicago Cubs in a 2–1 series loss at Wrigley Field.

Now, the Padres and other clubs face tough decisions as they look to reshape their rosters.

The roster for the Friars’ ninth team is made up of six players who would be leaving for free agency:

New deals for Cease and King

One of the biggest names on the free agent list is right-hander Dylan Cease. He’s among 13 players expected to receive a qualifying offer—likely a one-year deal worth $22 million for the 2026 season.

Yankees pitcher Michael King is in the same boat. Cease posted a 4.55 ERA across 32 starts this year, giving up 21 home runs.

Other notable free agents include:

Néstor Cortés: After joining the Brewers, Cortés made just six starts and allowed 16 earned runs. A left biceps tendon injury led to surgery after the season, casting doubt on his future availability.

Luis Arraez: The three-time batting champ hit .392 in 2025—a dip from previous seasons, but still elite. His skillset will make him a hot commodity on the open market.

José Iglesias: With a .229 batting average and just three home runs, Iglesias may struggle to land a new deal to stay with his current team.

Martín Maldonado: The veteran catcher appeared in 64 games, hitting .204 with four homers. He announced his retirement at the end of the 2025 season, closing the book on a 15-year MLB career.

Ryan O’Hearn: Acquired at the trade deadline by the Baltimore Orioles, O’Hearn is expected to land a two-year deal worth around $12 million per season. He hit .281 with 17 home runs and a career-high 63 RBIs.

With so many players on the move, this offseason promises to be one of the most active in recent memory.

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