San Diego's Likely Offseason Departures Ahead of 2027
San Diego enters the offseason under new ownership, leaving uncertainty about how much the club will spend. The article identifies six players unlikely to return by Opening Day 2027, including free agents Casey Mize, Robbie Ray, Ramon Laureano, and others, plus a trade candidate. Mize and Ray struggled after being acquired at the deadline, while Griffin Canning's mutual option is unlikely to be exercised.
San Diego's first offseason under owners José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones brings uncertainty about how aggressively the club will spend. The 2026 team won 91 games, yet several contributors—Michael King if he opts out, Adrian Morejon, Walker Buehler, Jason Adam, Ty France, Luis Rengifo and Austin Hays—are free to sign elsewhere.
Among those unlikely to return, Casey Mize and Robbie Ray struggled after deadline trades. Griffin Canning and Miguel Andujar hold mutual options, Ramon Laureano's season ended with a hip injury in June, and Freddy Fermin is arbitration-eligible. Ethan Salas's late emergence could make Fermin expendable via trade.
The Padres' offseason choices could affect players and their families, team staff, and San Diego fans. If spending remains uncertain under new ownership, the club's competitiveness may shift, potentially influencing attendance, nearby business activity on game days, and fan engagement. Departures may create opportunities for younger or lower-cost players, while outgoing free agents could relocate and change clubhouses elsewhere. The impact is likely concentrated in sports and the local economy rather than society broadly.