San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller has developed certain tendencies during his Padres tenure. While he is primarily known for trading away top prospects in order to land superstar contracts, he has also developed a knack for signing aging veterans to the team’s roster.
As a result, the team has featured popular names like Robinson Canó, Yuli Gurriel, Nelson Cruz, David Peralta, Matt Carpenter, and others. Some players, like Peralta, have provided on-field production in addition to a veteran locker room presence, while others have not made it through the season as it became clear their best baseball was behind them.. Last season, the Padres opted not to re-sign Peralta despite his strong 2024 season, as they signed veteran Jason Heyward to fill that spot as a platoon left-handed bat.
Unfortunately, things did not turn out well for Heyward in San Diego, and after not receiving any offers prior to the 2026 season, Heyward announced his retirement from baseball.
Former San Diego Padres Outfielder Announces Retirement
The San Diego Padres were the final team of the veteran’s illustrious 16-year career. Entering the season, Heyward was projected to be used as a platoon bat, primarily facing right-handed pitching as speedster Brandon Lockridge would hit against left-handed pitching.
Unfortunately for Heyward and the Padres, the veteran outfielder had the worst season of his career in San Diego as he struggled with a .176 batting average, .494 OPS, and a -0.6 WAR, according to Baseball Reference.
After appearing in 34 games for the Padres, Heyward was designated for assignment and later released. While Heyward had a career resurgence during the 2023 season as he became a platoon bat for the Los Angeles Dodgers, that did not continue after leaving San Diego as he did not receive offers following his release from the Padres.
Heyward played for six teams during his 16-year career, primarily with the Chicago Cubs, where he won a World Series during the 2016 season. He was selected as an All-Star during his rookie season with the Atlanta Braves, and won five Gold Glove awards in his career.
Heyward totaled $191 million in career earnings, with most of it coming from his eight-year, $184 million contract with the Cubs. He still has $10 million owed to him by the Cubs in deferred money.
San Diego Padres Veterans
This year’s Padres team is no different, as it also features aging veterans that San Diego is hoping can revive their careers.
Some of the names that fit the previous description are Nick Castellanos, Ty France, Walker Buehler and Germán Márquez.
Castellanos had $20 million owed to him by the Philadelphia Phillies, but they opted to release him. He then signed a veteran minimum contract with the Padres, where he is transitioning to first base. The team also brought back former All-Star first baseman Ty France, who has posted a sub-.700 OPS the past two seasons.
Meanwhile, Buehler and Márquez, both of whom have been All-Star pitchers in the past, have struggled in recent years, which resulted in both of them signing minimum deals prior to the season.
Former Padres $191 Million Talent Announces Retirement