In a recent interview with Annie Heilbrunn, Castellanos pushed back on the narrative surrounding his exit. “The media might have made it seem like it was some big deal and I was like some huge villain, but honestly it never felt like that throughout my communication with the other players,” he said.

He also added, “I definitely would consider those guys in my clubhouse, my old clubhouse, my friends. Sure, if some people over there ever had issues with me and the way I went about things, they definitely never told me.”

Castellanos, who played in Philadelphia from 2022 to 2025, was released during the offseason before signing with San Diego. While the Padres have started strong and sit near the top of the NL West standings, the Phillies have endured a difficult stretch, entering play with an 8-18 record and a lengthy losing streak, a contrast that reinforces how the Padres represent the first hurdle for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Castellanos addresses perception of his Phillies tenure

The 34-year-old outfielder made it clear that, from his perspective, there was no internal conflict during his time in Philadelphia. His comments suggest a disconnect between public narratives and his personal experience within the clubhouse.

Despite the circumstances of his departure, Castellanos emphasized that relationships with former teammates remained intact, reinforcing his view that the situation was less contentious than it appeared externally.

Padres hope for turnaround amid early struggles at the plate

While San Diego has performed well as a team, Castellanos has yet to find his rhythm offensively in 2026. He entered his next game with a .146/.196/.208 slash line through 16 appearances, a slow start by his standards.

Still, his track record as a productive hitter offers reason for optimism. Whether as a regular contributor or in a complementary role, Castellanos remains a veteran presence the Padres could rely on as the season progresses.

Boasting a nearly identical record and winners of 11 of their last 12 games, the Padres are sending a clear message that the NL West crown won’t be handed over easily. But what exactly is fueling this early-season arms race between the two rivals?

Key highlights for the Padres:

• Mason Miller’s dominance: A sparkling 0.00 ERA and a 0.35 WHIP through 11.1 innings have turned Miller into one of the most feared late-inning weapons the Padres have developed this spring.
• A sturdy rotation: Beyond Miller, the starting staff has been a pillar of consistency. Randy Vasquez, Walker Buehler, and Michael King have each stabilized the rotation, providing the Padres with much-needed depth.
• Offensive firepower: Fernando Tatis Jr. has carried over his blistering form from the World Baseball Classic. Paired with a red-hot Ramon Laureano—who has already tallied four home runs and 15 RBIs—the Padres have become a nightmare for opposing pitchers.

Injury bug bites Dodgers’ depth

Despite their winning record, the Dodgers haven’t escaped unscathed. The loss of Edwin Diaz to what could be a season-ending injury was a massive blow, but he isn’t the only concern for Dave Roberts’ staff.

With high-leverage arms like Evan Phillips and Brusdar Graterol still working their way back from surgery, the bullpen has looked vulnerable at times. The rotation is also feeling the pinch with Blake Snell currently on the 15-day IL, forcing the Dodgers to rely on their organizational depth earlier than expected.

The defensive vacuum is also notable. With Mookie Betts, Tommy Edman, and Kike Hernandez currently on rehab assignments, the Dodgers’ glovework has regressed. This defensive inconsistency was a factor in their recent skid, dropping three of four to the Rockies and a frustrating series opener against the Giants.

The Ohtani factor and a rising star

While injuries are a concern, any team headlined by Shohei Ohtani remains a perennial threat. Ohtani’s two-way brilliance continues to anchor the club, but a new face has emerged as a legitimate offensive catalyst.

Dalton Rushing has been the revelation of the early season. Despite rumors swirling about his name in trade talks between these very two clubs, Rushing has remained focused on the diamond, putting up eye-popping numbers in limited action.

With seven home runs and 13 RBIs in just 29 at-bats, Rushing has surpassed all expectations. If he continues to provide this level of protection for Ohtani in the lineup, the Dodgers have more than enough firepower to counter the Padres’ hot start and maintain their grip on the division.

After Stammen defined winning mindset, he expressed confidence that things would turn around at Petco Park. “We’re going to play better here at Petco… This was probably an outlier,” he said, according to MLB.com at the time, a statement that now looks accurate following a perfect 7–0 homestand.

The turnaround has been fueled by a consistent approach, with the Padres now winning 12 of their last 14 games. Pitching, timely hitting, and execution have all played key roles in the team’s rapid rise.

Stammen outlines clear formula behind Padres’ success

Stammen made it clear that the team’s identity starts with getting a lead and trusting the bullpen to finish the job. “That’s our recipe for winning,” he said. “We’ve got a great bullpen, and we’ve just got to get the ball to them somehow… I feel good with us closing it out.”

He compared the strategy to a football team controlling the game late. “Score early, get ahead and then hand the ball off to all the guys who throw 100 mph,” Stammen added. That approach has worked consistently during the streak, with relievers locking down games once the Padres gain control.

Tatis and Buehler lead balanced team effort

Fernando Tatis Jr. continues to contribute in multiple ways, even without home run power early in the season. He reached base three times in the latest win and delivered a key two-run single, while also making an impact defensively. “He’s just a great baseball player,” Stammen said. “When we’re going good, he’s impacting the game quite often.”

Meanwhile, Walker Buehler has stepped up in a rotation dealing with injuries, delivering back-to-back solid outings and providing much-needed stability. With strong contributions across the roster and a defined winning formula, the Padres have quickly turned their season around — and show no signs of slowing down.

It was OptaStats that detailed the full scope of Miller’s record-setting numbers on X. The depth of this statistical anomaly becomes even more staggering as the sample size grows. Miller has struck out 50 of his last 70 opponents and an incredible 80 of his last 135.

To put it in perspective, no other MLB pitcher in the last 50 years, including legendary power arms and Hall of Fame closers, has matched any of these stretches at any point in their careers.

Miller giving the Padres exactly what they need

Miller has been dominant to open the 2026 season, posting a 0.00 ERA across nine appearances for San Diego, a massive boost for the club. In 9.1 innings, he has allowed just one hit and one walk, with opponents unable to capitalize.

“Including playoffs, Mason Miller has struck out: 20 of his last 23 batters, 30 of last 38, 40 of last 55, 50 of last 70, 60 of last 89, 70 of last 109, 80 of last 135. No other MLB pitcher in the last 50 years has matched any of those stretches at any point in his career (reg & post),” OptaStats posted on X.

The Padres’ pitching staff has been sharp overall, with a 3.97 ERA among starters, led by Randy Vasquez at 2.49. While some relievers have had their struggles, Miller has anchored the bullpen as a lockdown closer, helping the team to a strong 13-6 record.

“We try to tell the guys every day, it’s not ‘if’ we’re going to win, but it’s: ‘Who’s going to be the hero?’” manager Stammen said, according to MLB.com. “Tonight, it was Jackson.”

San Diego trailed by four runs entering the ninth inning but erupted for a five-run rally to complete the comeback. Merrill delivered the defining blow, lining a two-run double into the left-field corner to bring home both the tying and winning runs in front of an energized home crowd.

Merrill’s defense sparks early momentum

Merrill’s impact came long before the final swing. In the third inning, he robbed Julio Rodriguez of a home run with a leaping catch at the center-field wall, erasing what would have been a momentum-building moment for Seattle.

Despite falling behind 6-2 after five innings, the Padres remained composed, with Xander Bogaerts also contributing a milestone moment by hitting his 200th career home run to help fuel the comeback attempt.

Padres’ late-game identity continues to grow

The rally began with patient at-bats and key baserunners reaching base in the ninth, setting the stage for San Diego’s explosive finish. The Padres have now repeatedly shown the ability to erase deficits late in games, a trend that has defined their recent stretch of success.

Stammen’s messaging around opportunity and belief has become a clear identity marker for the clubhouse. With momentum building, San Diego’s confidence in late-game situations is becoming one of its most defining strengths early in the season.

Castellanos joined San Diego hoping his experience and offensive power can help him secure a role on the team. However, the veteran outfielder made it clear that his focus is not on the future yet, but on proving he deserves a spot on the roster.

“I mean, right now my anticipation level is just on today’s game, man,” Castellanos said, according to Sammy Levitt on “X”. “I’m still trying to make the club.”

Castellanos could provide depth for Padres lineup

If Castellanos earns a roster spot, he could provide valuable depth for San Diego’s lineup. The veteran has the ability to play both corner outfield positions and can also handle first base when needed.

With Fernando Tatis Jr. expected to start in right field and Ramon Laureano likely handling left field duties, Castellanos could rotate into the lineup depending on matchups or injuries.

Versatility could help Castellanos make the team

Castellanos may also receive opportunities as the designated hitter, giving the Padres another right-handed bat in the lineup. His experience and power could make him a useful option in different situations throughout the season. For now, the veteran remains focused on performing well during Spring Training as he attempts to secure a spot with San Diego.

“I’ve tried every treatment, supplement, and vitamin you can… something got rid of it and it hasn’t come back… I don’t know exactly what did it that fixed it. I hope if it hurts again, we get lucky again,” Buehler told reporters in a video shared by Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan SD.

Last season, Buehler finished the year with a 4.93 ERA, which was quite disappointing across 26 games for him. Most of those appearances came with the Red Sox before he moved to Philadelphia, where he pitched in just three games and posted a 3–0 record with a 0.66 ERA.

Buehler looks solid so far

In his spring training debut with the Padres, Buehler threw three innings, allowing two hits and two runs while striking out four. Those are solid numbers that could raise hope among San Diego fans heading into the 2026 season, as they hope the team can return to the postseason and make a deeper run.

Padres pitching coach Ruben Niebla recently spoke candidly about Buehler: “He’s been good. He’s been throwing the ball well, just tweaking a few of his movements… right now he’s engaged in a movement we’re trying to acquire. I’m expecting him to get it done.”

Regarding his arrival with the Padres, Buehler said in mid-February: “It’s nice to finally be on a team that tries to win by playing hard / working together. Not just overpaying everyone because our ownership group is an investment firm managing $350 billion in assets.”

Guaranteed contracts, deferred money and arbitration raises form a complex ledger. What once looked like aggressive ambition has matured into a web of commitments that demand careful navigation in a competitive NL West landscape.

Cap space, flexibility and future obligations quietly influence every roster decision. The Padres’ 2026 payroll is not just a number on a spreadsheet—it is a reflection of past gambles and the boundaries they create moving forward.

How much is the Padres’ payroll in 2026?

The San Diego Padres are once again among the teams with one of the more substantial payrolls in MLB. According to Spotrac, their actual salary payroll for 2026 is about $262 million, ranking them around eighth in the league by total cash salary.

When evaluated through the lens that matters most for long-term financial planning — the Competitive Balance Tax (CBT) or luxury tax payroll — their 2026 number climbs considerably.

Spotrac’s tax projections show San Diego at about $244 million, ranking them roughly sixth highest in the league. That figure includes the average annual values (AAV) of long-term contracts rather than just the cash paid out this season, and reflects the club’s commitment to key stars under contract.

Those lofty figures reflect long-term commitments to cornerstone talents like Xander Bogaerts, Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr., whose contracts carry significant average annual values.

The blend of big-ticket deals and projected arbitration raises ensures that payroll, in both cash spent and tax calculations, will be a defining backdrop to their 2026 campaign.

“Joe Kudla, the owner and CEO of Carlsbad, Calif.-based Vuori, has partnered with Drew Brees, who began his decorated NFL career with the San Diego Chargers, in pursuit of the Padres, according to industry sources who were granted anonymity to speak freely about the franchise’s sale process,” Lin and Rosenthal wrote.

It remains unclear whether Brees would need to contribute a significant portion of his own money toward the purchase. According to Yahoo! Finance, the former Super Bowl champion has an estimated net worth of $160 million, a relatively small figure compared to the Padres’ reported valuation of $1.95 billion, as listed by Forbes in its 2025 ranking of the most valuable MLB teams.

Brees and his group face strong competition

While Brees is a well-known and respected figure in San Diego, he and his investment group are not alone in their interest in acquiring the Padres. Another billionaire is reportedly in the mix, meaning the competition will be stiff, especially given that rival bidders may have financial resources equal to or greater than those backing Brees.

“Other remaining suitors include Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob and English Premier League club owner José E. Feliciano, two prospective buyers whose interest in the Padres was previously reported,” Lin and Rosenthal detailed. They also noted that no formal responses have been issued by Brees or the other interested parties regarding the ongoing bidding process.

When official offers will be submitted remains unclear. “A league source described each of the five bids for the Padres as ‘strong.’ Multiple groups are expected to move on to the next round of bidding, with an agreement to buy the team possible around Opening Day.” What does appear certain is that the final sale price could approach, or even exceed, $2 billion.

“Merrill Kelly had a three-year offer from the Padres, but the tax implications were absurd enough that it made more sense to take the D-backs’ two-year deal,” Foul Territory reported on X, citing the pitcher’s recent comments.

It was a three-year proposal, and as Kelly admitted, “It definitely made the decision to come back here a lot harder.” He is now preparing to play the 2026 season in Arizona under a two-year, $40 million deal that also includes a performance-based vesting option for 2028.

How much in taxes was Kelly going to pay?

Had Kelly signed a $40 million contract with the Padres, he would have been subject to California’s top tax bracket of 14.4% (including mental health and SDI surcharges). That would have meant roughly $5.76 million owed to the state. By comparison, Arizona’s flat 2.5% income tax rate would result in about $1 million in state taxes, a difference of nearly $4.8 million in take-home pay.

Kelly acknowledged that while the security of a third guaranteed year was appealing, the “red light” of California’s tax structure made remaining in Arizona for $40 million over two years the more practical decision for both financial and family reasons.

Other stars, such as Shohei Ohtani and Blake Snell, have structured their contracts with massive deferrals or specific signing bonuses to offset similar tax burdens. Ohtani, for example, deferred $680 million into future years, potentially reducing the immediate impact of California taxes.

As previously reported, the Padres plan to use Castellanos at three different positions if needed. First base will be the newest assignment for him in recent years, as he has primarily played the outfield with the Philadelphia Phillies over the past few seasons.

The Padres will also deploy him in the outfield when necessary, but his third option will be at designated hitter. The club is expected to closely evaluate Castellanos’ performance during spring training games before finalizing how frequently he rotates between roles.

Castellanos on the Padres’ depth chart

As noted, Castellanos appears on the Padres’ depth chart at three different positions. Specifically, he is listed as the backup in right field behind Fernando Tatis Jr. if needed, with Ramon Laureano also an option according to the depth chart.

Miguel Andujar is currently projected as the Padres’ primary designated hitter heading into the 2026 MLB season, with Castellanos likely serving as the secondary option, particularly in less demanding matchups.

Sheets acknowledged that adding Castellanos brings a veteran right-handed bat to the lineup. As a left-handed hitter who struggled against same-handed pitching in 2025, Sheets noted that having a veteran like Castellanos available to platoon at first base or rotate into the DH spot makes the Padres a more dangerous and flexible team offensively.