Padres face a winter of major decisions after a wild-card exit to Chicago left a sour taste and a looming need to retool a fragile rotation. Dylan Cease and Michael King near free agency, while Luis Arraez and Ryan O’Hearn could depart, leaving the offense unsettled. Closer Robert Suarez has a 2026 option and is weighing his future. San Diego must balance payroll with upside as it plans a path back to contention in 2026.

The club will weigh internal depth, external upgrades, and how to replace production at several spots, aiming to preserve run prevention and scoring punch while navigating the market this offseason.

Mets fans rally around a pitching upgrade to avoid a repeat playoff miss, with Dylan Cease cited as a marquee target to pair with Kodai Senga. Cease posted 4.55 ERA this year with 1.327 WHIP and 200+ Ks, after a 3.47/1.067 season, signaling upside if he rebounds. A Cease–Senga duo could anchor a deeper, more reliable rotation as New York builds depth behind them this winter.

Offseason chatter also flags Red Sox trade activity after a brutal Wild Card exit to the Yankees, and keeps Yankees and Astros in the orbit of high-profile moves. The Mets’ willingness to spend remains central to any ceiling-raising deal, underscoring a summer-to-winter plan focused on elite arms and depth for 2025.

The Padres knocked off the Cubs 3-0 in Game 2, led by a four-hitter from Dylan Cease with late bullpen support. Manny Machado delivered a key two-run homer in the fifth, and San Diego’s top three hitters combined for 4-11 with two RBIs. The series heads to Chicago for a decisive Game 3 as Yu Darvish faces Jameson Taillon. Betting angles center on a tight line, a slight edge to the Padres, and an under-friendly total, with expert projections guiding DFS and live-betting plays.