San Diego Padres 2026–2027 Offseason Guide: Important Dates, Roster Decisions & Calendar

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the Padres 2026-2027 offseason schedule, highlighting essential dates for the Winter Meetings, MLB Draft Lottery, and key decision-making periods for arbitration-eligible players and those with team or mutual contract options.

The Padres enter the offseason with significant decisions across their pitching staff and several productive hitters approaching free agency. Michael King’s contract decision, Nick Pivetta’s club option, and the futures of Adrian Morejon and Ty France will help determine how San Diego builds for 2027.

This guide covers free agency, options, roster deadlines, awards, the Winter Meetings, and the scheduled return of baseball to Petco Park.

Calendar note: MLB’s current collective bargaining agreement expires December 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. A lockout is anticipated but has not begun. Baseball events and operations that could be affected are marked “pending lockout.” Published dates remain listed unless officially changed.

Important Dates at a Glance

• Day after the World Series ends: Eligible Padres become free agents; offseason trades resume under the current agreement.
• Fifth day after the World Series ends: Exclusive negotiating period ends; eligible free agents can sign with other clubs. Qualifying offers are due. Individual contract-option deadlines must also be checked.
• November 1, 2026: Gold Glove Award winners announced.
• November 2: BBWAA award finalists and Silver Slugger finalists announced.
• November 9–12: General Manager Meetings in Las Vegas.
• November 9: Rookie of the Year winners announced.
• November 10: Manager of the Year winners announced.
• November 11: Cy Young Award winners announced; MLB Awards celebration in Las Vegas.
• November 12: Most Valuable Player Award winners announced.
• November 17: Rule 5 roster protection deadline; qualifying-offer acceptance deadline; Silver Slugger winners announced.
• November 20: Non-tender deadline.
• December 1, 8:59 p.m. Pacific: Current collective bargaining agreement expires.
• December 2026: Winter Meetings — pending lockout. December 7–9 is the reported baseball-business schedule; published calendars differ on the full meeting window.
• December 8: Scheduled MLB Draft Lottery — pending lockout.
• December 9: Scheduled Major League Rule 5 Draft — pending lockout.
• January 8, 2027: Scheduled salary arbitration figure exchange — pending lockout.
• January 15: Expected international signing period opening under the existing system — pending lockout.
• Late January–February: Expected arbitration hearings — pending lockout.
• February: Pitchers, catchers, and position players report to Peoria; exact dates unannounced — pending lockout.
• February 19: Scheduled Cactus League opener against Seattle at Peoria Sports Complex, with the Mariners designated as the home team — pending lockout.
• February 20: Scheduled Padres spring home opener against Arizona at Peoria Sports Complex — pending lockout.
• March: Spring Breakout details unannounced — pending lockout.
• March 24: Scheduled MLB Opening Night; matchup unannounced — pending lockout.
• March 25: Scheduled Padres Opening Day and home opener against Arizona at Petco Park — pending lockout.

Free Agency: Who Could Leave San Diego?

The Padres’ pending unrestricted free agents include:

• LHP Adrian Morejon.
• RHP Jason Adam.
• RHP Walker Buehler.
• RHP Casey Mize.
• LHP Robbie Ray.
• 1B Ty France.
• OF Ramón Laureano.
• OF Austin Hays.
• INF/OF Luis Rengifo.

King could join the market if he declines his player option. Other options could create additional departures.

The number of potential pitching departures makes retaining or replacing experienced arms a central task. France’s future also affects first base and the balance of the lineup.

View our top free agents ranking by clicking here.

Contract Options

• Michael King: $28 million player option for 2027.
• Yuki Matsui: $6.5 million player option.
• Wandy Peralta: $4.45 million player option.
• Nick Pivetta: $14 million club option.
• Kyle Hart: $2.5 million club option, with a $200,000 buyout.
• Griffin Canning: $5 million mutual option, with a $1.5 million buyout.
• Lucas Giolito: $8 million mutual option, with a $1.5 million buyout.
• Miguel Andujar: $8 million mutual option, with a $2.5 million buyout.

These provisions give the players, club, or both sides a decision. They are not completed transactions.

King’s choice is particularly significant because it could send a frontline starter onto the market. San Diego would then need to pursue a reunion or replace his innings while addressing other departures.

Qualifying Offers

The reported qualifying offer is $23.15 million for one season, according to the New York Post. Offers are due on the fifth day after the World Series, with the reported acceptance deadline on November 17.

King is ineligible for another offer after receiving one last offseason. Ray and Mize are ineligible to receive one from San Diego because they were acquired during the season.

For the remaining eligible players, the Padres must weigh a one-year commitment against potential draft compensation.

General Manager Meetings: November 9–12

The GM Meetings take place in Las Vegas from November 9–12.

San Diego can use the meetings to assess the starting-pitching market, negotiate with its own free agents, and explore trades. The approaching labor deadline could influence timing, but the club’s options will also depend on payroll and the decisions already made by players.

Rule 5 Protection and the 40-Man Roster

Protection deadline: November 17.

Scheduled Major League Rule 5 Draft: December 9 — pending lockout.

The Padres must evaluate eligible prospects while preserving space for injured-list returns, free-agent additions, and other roster moves.

A prospect’s eligibility does not mean San Diego has decided to protect him. Only an official addition to the 40-man roster completes that protection.

The November deadline precedes the expiration of the labor agreement. The Major League draft remains pending lockout, while the Minor League phase could follow a different path.

Awards Season

The November calendar includes defensive honors, offensive awards, and the major BBWAA announcements. The MLB Awards celebration takes place separately from the individual BBWAA presentations.

Padres finalists, voting finishes, and winners will become official on the dates listed above.

Non-Tenders and Arbitration

Non-tender deadline: November 20.

Scheduled figure exchange: January 8 — pending lockout.

Expected hearings: late January–February — pending lockout.

San Diego’s arbitration decisions include:

• Jhony Brito
• Jeremiah Estrada
• Bryan Hoeing
• Mason Miller
• JP Sears
• Luis Campusano
• Freddy Fermin
• Gavin Sheets

Randy Vásquez’s status also depends on the final Super Two determination.

Tendering a contract retains a player’s rights without establishing his final salary. Published projections remain estimates until an agreement or arbitration decision becomes official.

Winter Meetings, Draft Lottery, and Competitive Balance Picks

Winter Meetings: December — pending lockout.

Scheduled Draft Lottery: December 8 — pending lockout.

Scheduled Major League Rule 5 Draft: December 9 — pending lockout.

The lottery is included as a league event; its presence here does not establish that the Padres are eligible to participate. San Diego’s final draft position and any compensation adjustments will follow official announcements.

Competitive Balance selections belong in the guide only where they directly affect the Padres, including through a trade.

Padres FanFest and Winter Events

The date for 2027 Padres FanFest remains unannounced. Event timing and player participation are pending lockout and the club’s official plans.

The Padres have separately advertised Fantasy Camp for January 8–13, 2027, in Peoria. That is a distinct event from FanFest.

Hall of Fame Voting: The Padres Connection

There are no Padres eligible for Hall of Fame contention this season.

The official ballot determines the candidates; January 19 has been reported as the results date. Hall of Fame voting operates separately from MLB transactions.

International Signing Period

Expected opening: January 15, 2027 — pending lockout.

San Diego’s official bonus pool, applicable signing rules, and completed agreements remain subject to confirmation. Reported commitments are separate from completed contracts.

Spring Training in Peoria

Reporting dates: pending lockout.

The Padres’ published Cactus League schedule begins against Seattle on February 19, followed by their designated home opener against Arizona on February 20. Both games are at Peoria Sports Complex and are pending lockout.

The spring will provide a clearer picture of the rebuilt pitching staff, catching roles, and the lineup around San Diego’s established core.

Opening Day at Petco Park

The Padres are scheduled to host the Arizona Diamondbacks on March 25 — pending lockout. The opening series is scheduled to continue through March 28.

San Diego’s offseason will turn on how much of its pitching staff it retains and how effectively it replaces the contributors who leave.