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Padres’ Nick Pivetta option comes with a bigger gamble than it seems

Two years is a long time to cross our fingers.
ByTremayne Person
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Oct 6, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres pitcher Nick Pivetta (27) walks off the field during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in game three of the NLDS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
Oct 6, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres pitcher Nick Pivetta (27) walks off the field during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in game three of the NLDS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Padres need starting pitching, and Nick Pivetta can give them very good starting pitching. We’ve seen him do it before. After his 2026 campaign was derailed by an elbow injury, San Diego has to decide how much of its next two seasons it wants riding on him staying healthy.

The $14 million option for 2027 makes the decision look easier than it is.

As Kevin Acee reported in The San Diego Union-Tribune, exercising that option also guarantees Pivetta an $18 million player option for 2028. The Padres would be giving him control over the second year of a potential $32 million commitment.

Nick Pivetta’s contract puts the Padres’ rotation flexibility at stake

Pivetta’s extended absence with a right elbow flexor strain triggered the contract clause that gave San Diego control over his 2027 option. The injury was serious enough to change who controlled his contract. He owns a 2.78 ERA across 39 starts with San Diego. Replacing that caliber of performance would be pretty expensive, and a rotation already facing uncertainty can’t merely shrug at his departure.

His return and postseason appearance gave the Padres something encouraging to evaluate. They still have to determine how much work they can reasonably expect from him over a full season. However, if Pivetta pitches well enough in 2027, he could decline his player option and seek a better deal. If injuries or declining performance hurt his market, that $18 million becomes valuable protection for him. 

We should want A.J. Preller and Pivetta to consider exploring a revised agreement. Acee identified that as the more likely route, and it makes sense to see whether both sides can find terms they’re comfortable with.

Pivetta would need a reason to accept a new arrangement. But whatever happens with the contract, the Padres need enough credible starters to handle another extended absence.

If the Padres keep him, the spending and roster work must continue. If they decline the option, they need a convincing replacement plan ready to go. We can appreciate everything Pivetta has delivered and still expect a hardheaded decision. His best starts make us want him back. The commitment requires the Padres to account for the months when he might be unavailable.

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