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.

Mason Miller lit up the NL Wild Card Series with a jaw-dropping 104.5 mph four-seam fastball, delivering the fastest postseason pitch on record and a string of whiffs that left Cubs hitters stunned. His 11 fastest pitches in Game 2 averaged about 103 mph, helping San Diego coast to a 3-0 win and extend the series. With back-to-back high-leverage appearances, Miller’s workload is under the spotlight as San Diego weighs using him again in a deciding Game 3.

Padres manager Mike Shildt emphasized smart usage, balancing Miller’s electric arm against long-term health as Miller is under team control through 2029. If he’s deployed again, expect a high-leverage, bullpen-leaning plan centered on aggressive strikeouts, setting up San Diego for a first World Series run while Cubs options pivot to a tougher path in Milwaukee.