Padres’ budget unaffected by release of low-cost veteran

The San Diego Padres made a move that, on the surface, could have prompt concern from fans — releasing veteran outfielder Jason Heyward. But while the name might carry weight and his exit may spark questions about roster direction, the reality is this decision will have little to no impact on the team’s financial bottom line. Simply put: the Padres’ budget remains fully intact.

Heyward, 35, was signed this past offseason to a modest one-year, $1 million deal — a low-risk flier aimed at bolstering San Diego’s corner outfield depth. The hope was that Heyward, a left-handed bat with a history of success in platoon roles, could bring stability to a cost-controlled left field rotation. Unfortunately, that vision never materialized. He struggled at the plate, slashing.176/.223/.271 with just two home runs over 95 plate appearances. Injuries didn’t help either, with knee inflammation sidelining him early and an oblique strain keeping him off the field since late May.

Heyward’s release won’t disrupt Padres’ trade plans

Once healthy, the Padres had the choice to reinstate him or move on — and they chose the latter, prioritizing flexibility and potential trade deadline upgrades over a sunk cost.

From a business perspective, this was a sound decision. Even with Heyward officially released, the Padres are only on the hook for the remainder of his $1 million salary — a figure that barely moves the needle for a team operating with postseason ambitions. If Heyward signs elsewhere, that new team would pay him the prorated league minimum, slightly reducing San Diego’s obligation even further.

However for fans wondering if this indicates the start of financial pullback — think again. This move was never about saving money. It was about freeing up roster space for more production and continuing to chase down the NL West division leaders. The Padres are expected to remain aggressive at the trade deadline, and releasing Heyward won’t slow that pursuit one bit.