Padres Bring Back Star Player After Impressive Season

Sep 3, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (13) celebrates with left fielder Ramon Laureano (5) after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images | David Frerker-Imagn Images

The San Diego Padres picked up outfielder Ramon Laureano's $6.5 million team option for the 2026 season Thursday morning, per the New York Post's Jon Heyman.

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Padres will pick up Ramon Laureano $6.5M option. Of course. Had big year in Baltimore/SD.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 6, 2025

The Padres acquired Laureano along with All-Star designated hitter Ryan O'Hearn from the Baltimore Orioles at the deadline, and he was one of their more influential additions in July. The Padres had a issue in the outfield, and had been giving DH Gavin Sheets starts out of position since May.

Laureano came in and instantly made an impact, hitting nine home runs and driving in 30 runs for a struggling Padres offense in just 50 games. He posted a .269/.323/.489 slash line with the Friars during his time in San Diego last season. Altogether, Laureano matched his career high in home runs and posted a 136 OPS+ — the best of his career — during the 2025 season.

The outfielder also accrued 3.8 bWAR throughout 2025, which is the highest he has ever recorded in a single season.

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The outfielder also accrued 3.8 bWAR throughout 2025, which is the highest he has ever recorded in a single season.If the Padres were to opt out of Laureano's contract they'd be in a similar position to last season, so bringing the star back on such a low cost is a no-brainer for the Friars. He will maintain his spot in left alongside Jackson Merrill in center field and Fernando Tatis Jr. in right field.

Laureano suffered a fracture in his finger towards the end of the 2025 season, missing the last handful of games in the regular season as well as the Padres' Wild Card series against the Chicago Cubs. He will return by spring training, though, and the Padres will hope he can remain in good health and serve as their first option in left field.

With their situation in the outfield sorted ahead of free agency, the Padres can begin looking for the starting pitchers they so desperately need this winter. Michael King and Dylan Cease are both entering free agency, as is Nestor Cortes, however he will miss all of 2026 with injury. Yu Darvish is also out for all of next season, as he underwent Tommy John surgery at the end of October.

For more Padres news, head over to Padres on SI.