4 contract extension candidates the Padres must address

The San Diego Padres recent moves have been essential in addressing one of the team's most pressing concerns, the starting rotation. Adding Nick Pivetta on a four-year deal and Kyle Hart on a one-year deal shored up the backend of the rotation, but almost more important than that, it allows the front office to focus on some of the Padres other needs.

One of those concerns has taken a backseast, but now that ownership can focus their efforts elsewhere, a complex look must be taken at four Padres players who deserve a contract extension. All with one year left on their contracts, Luis Arraez, Jason Adam, Jeremiah Estrada, and Jackson Merrill should be all top priorities for Preller and the ownership team to keep in San Diego.

Luis Arraez

Joining his third team in three years when he became a San Diego Padre after an early season trade with the Miami Marlins, Luis Arraez was in danger of moving again for most of the offseason. A trade candidate with just one year left on his contract at a team with little financial wiggle room, it looked like Arraez would be flipped for prospects before spring training. Instead, Arraez is still a Padre, lowering San Diego's chances of capitalizing on his departure.

The Padres must now look to keep Arraez to avoid having him walk in free agency after 2025. Making $14 million in 2025, Arraez should see a similar if not more lucrative deal in 2026 if he can continue his dominance in the batting average department. San Diego will have roughly $35 million to spend with Dylan Cease, Michael King, and Arraez becoming free agents in 2026, so look for at least one of them to score a payday.

Jason Adam and Jeremiah Estrada

Two of the Padres best relievers in 2026, Adam and Estrada were important backend and bridge pieces for San Diego late into the season. Estrada, whose breakout came in 2024 after two disappointing years with the Cubs, is making just $800,000 in 2025, and is the most likely of the two to receive an extension. His current cheap contract gives the Padres much more wiggle room if he has a down year in 2025.

Also a mid-season trade acquisition, Adam was one of the Padres best pieces out of the pen in his limited time with the team. In 27 games with San Diego, Adam gave up just three earned runs while striking out 31 in 26.2 innings pitched. Signing a one-year deal, $4.8 million deal to avoid arbitration, Adam is currently the Padres fourth highest paid reliever, and should receive a deal similar to Yuki Matsui's five-year, $28 million deal.

Jackson Merrill

Arguably the National League's best rookie, even if the awards don't show it, and without a question one of the Padres best players in 2024, Merrill should be number one priority for Preller. Currently still on a rookie contract, Merrill is also making just $800,000 in 2025, a massive underpay for one of the leagues best center fielders.

Look for Merrill to receive an expensive, years-long contract that keeps him in San Diego for the foreseeable future. Having already discussed a contract extension soon after the season was over, talks between Merrill and the Padres seemed to stall during the teams ownership shakeup. Now with John Seidler firmly in place as the Padres next control person, talks should be revived soon. Similar to Ronald Acuna's contract with the Braves, Fansided's Eric Cole has predicted an eight-year, $140-150 million, fully guaranteed contract.