MLB Trade Rumor: Why did the San Diego Padres decline Nick Pivetta’s option as Si-Hwan Roh prepares for MLB

The San Diego Padres declined their $14 million club option on Nick Pivetta, making the right-hander a free agent after an injury-plagued season. And South Korean star Si-Hwan Roh is set to enter the MLB posting system after the Hanwha Eagles agreed to make him available to major league teams. These moves are some of the first as the MLB offseason for 2026-27 begins.The Baltimore Orioles also declined the option on Luis Robert Jr. The Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays completed a minor deal involving reliever Evan Reifert.Why are the Hanwha Eagles making Si-Hwan Roh available?The Hanwha Eagles will post third baseman Si-Hwan Roh this offseason, opening the door for MLB clubs to negotiate with the 26-year-old Korean star. The decision is part of a deal included in the major contract he signed with the KBO club in February of 2026.Roh’s deal was reported as an 11-year, $23 million contract, believed to be the richest agreement in KBO history. The Eagles agreed to post him this offseason as part of the terms, with Roh also agreeing to return to the team after his MLB stint if he doesn’t manage a major league move.An experienced power hitter, his 2026 performance could attract the interest of clubs. Roh finished with a .283 batting average,360 on-base percentage and .505 slugging percentage, with 29 home runs.He’s also been averaging 35 home runs per 162 games since 2023. While he’s viewed as a solid rather than spectacular third baseman, his experience at first base gives teams another potential avenue.Once officially posted, Roh will have 30 days to negotiate an agreement with an MLB team. If he has not signed a contract by then, he will return to the Hanwha Eagles.Why did the San Diego Padres decline Nick Pivetta’s option?The San Diego Padres declined Nick Pivetta’s $14 million club option, per the San Diego Union-Tribune’s reporting. The ruling makes the 34-year-old starter a free agent and leaves the club with another rotation question after Michael King opted out of his deal.Pivetta missed about five months of the 2026 season with a flexor strain. He returned in September and made six starts between the regular season and postseason with promising performances despite continued questions about his elbow.What other MLB offseason moves have emerged?The Baltimore Orioles declined Luis Robert Jr.’s $20 million club option and will pay a $2 million buyout instead. The decision comes after an injury-plagued stint for the outfielder, who played only three games for Baltimore after being acquired from the New York Mets in September.Robert, 29, has kept showing his ability to hit left-handed pitching, both defensively and with power, but injuries have limited his availability. From 2024 to 2026, he appeared in only 271 of the possible 489 regular-season contests.In other moves, the Houston Astros acquired right-handed reliever Evan Reifert from the Tampa Bay Rays for cash. The 27-year-old struck out 81 batters in 58 Triple-A innings in 2026, with his slider being a big weapon.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.