With Michael King Back In San Diego, A Nick Pivetta Trade Feels More Likely

[Andy Johnson]

It looked like Michael King would not be heading back to San Diego as recently as a few days ago, when it was reported his market was down to Baltimore, New York, and Boston. But something changed, because King is back in town on a three-year, $75 million deal. The Padres got their ace back, and the rotation now looks something like this: Michael King, Nick Pivetta, Joe Musgrove, Randy Vasquez, and JP Sears. 

For the first time this offseason, there are five starters who the team probably feels okay with in the rotation, and there's still the option of moving Mason Miller into the rotation as well. 

While this could be the final rotation going into 2026, there's now a higher possibility than before that we could see one of the Padres starters dealt this winter. That is Nick Pivetta, whose name has been thrown around in trade talks for a few weeks now. 

Obviously, shopping a guy like Pivetta would be risky, but it makes sense to think about the big picture. If Pivetta puts together another ace-level performance in 2026, he will very likely opt out after the season and sign a big contract, probably with another team. If he struggles in 2026 and turns out to be a one-year wonder, the Padres missed their chance to sell high on an average starter. 

The one big reason to hold on to Pivetta was the fear that a Pivetta trade would leave San Diego without any ace pitchers atop the rotation. Now that King is back, that's no longer the case. Especially if the team is considering moving Miller into the rotation, Pivetta would be their best trade asset. 

After all, it's no secret the Padres have a lot of needs. Most of those needs have been covered up in the past few seasons by their superstars. Fernando Tatis Jr, Manny Machado, Jackson Merrill, King, Pivetta, and an elite bullpen have managed to cover up a lot of the Padres' holes, but that won't last forever. The team has very little depth, especially in the outfield and the pitching staff. The Padres' farm system is among the weakest in the league, with Ethan Salas as their only top 100 prospect. 

If Pivetta were to be traded this offseason, he’d likely fetch significant value. The Padres might be able to land a top-100 prospect, in addition to a package of depth pieces and other prospects, if they decide to trade Pivetta. His stock is higher than it probably will ever be, especially if teams see him as a multi-year addition. Small-market teams probably would be shy to trade for Pivetta because of the opt-out, but a team like Los Angeles, New York, or Chicago would easily be able to extend Pivetta or re-sign him if he opts out. 

Losing their No. 2 starter would still weaken the Padres' rotation, but not as much as it would have weakened them before they brought back Michael King. 

Knowing AJ Preller, he will not be afraid to make whatever move he feels brings the Padres closest to a championship. If he feels keeping Pivetta gives them the best opportunity to win the World Series, he would not trade him, even with his value at an all-time high. But Preller has shown that for the right price, he’ll make almost any trade. If he feels it will improve the roster or the farm system, Pivetta could be out the door. And now that King is back at the top of the rotation, the Padres might just be okay without Pivetta in 2026. 

View full article