The San Diego Padres are making moves to bolster their pitching staff, but is it enough to satisfy fans? The team has re-signed pitcher Kyle Hart, a move that raises some eyebrows given his recent performance.
According to reports, Hart will earn $1 million in 2026, with a club option for 2027 valued at $2.5 million and a $200K buyout. But here’s where it gets interesting: the contract includes escalators that could increase the option’s buyout to $500K and the overall price to $4.5 million, depending on games played and started. This structure adds a layer of complexity to the deal.
Hart, turning 33 next week, had a 5.86 ERA in 43 innings for the Padres in 2025, alternating between starting and relief roles. His previous contract with the Padres, signed in February, included a $5 million club option for 2026, which the team declined due to his underwhelming performance. Hart’s struggles weren’t limited to the majors; even in Triple-A El Paso, he managed only a 4.10 ERA with a low strikeout rate.
Hart’s baseball journey has been a rollercoaster. After his 2020 MLB debut with the Red Sox, he spent time in the minors and even pitched in the KBO for the NC Dinos, where he excelled with a 2.69 ERA and a high strikeout rate in 2024. But, like many players before him, he couldn’t replicate that success in the MLB. And this is the part most people miss—the challenge of transitioning between leagues is real, as evidenced by 2023 KBO MVP Erick Fedde’s recent struggles in the MLB.
Despite Hart’s 2025 struggles, the Padres’ decision to re-sign him is understandable. The team is in dire need of rotation-ready pitchers. With the departures of Dylan Cease and Michael King, and Yu Darvish’s absence next year, the Padres are left with a thin rotation. While Joe Musgrove and Nick Pivetta provide veteran stability, the remaining pitchers are unproven in a contending rotation. The Padres don’t want a repeat of 2021, when a lack of depth led to a September collapse and a near-miss of the playoffs.
Hart’s signing adds depth on a budget, but it’s not the big splash fans might be hoping for. The Padres’ financial situation, clouded by ownership changes, makes a major free agency signing less likely. However, they’ve shown creativity in the past, like signing Pivetta last year. Could they surprise us again with a move like adding Mason Miller or Adrian Morejon to the rotation? It’s a controversial strategy, but one that might be necessary if they want to compete for top starters in the market.
What do you think about the Padres’ decision to re-sign Hart? Is it a wise move given their current situation, or should they have aimed higher? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s discuss the team’s strategy for the upcoming season.