The San Diego Padres have confirmed the return of versatile infielder Tyler Wade for the 2025 MLB season, with the team agreeing to a one-year contract worth $900,000. The deal also includes a $1 million player option for the 2026 season.
This move marks a continuation of Wade’s tenure with the Padres, as he initially joined the team on a minor league contract in November 2023. Wade made the Padres’ Opening Day roster in 2024 for the Seoul Series in South Korea, where he quickly established himself as a key utility player throughout the season.
In addition to the announcement about Wade, the Padres revealed that they had chosen not to tender contracts to outfielder Bryce Johnson, infielder Mason McCoy, and right-handers Logan Gillaspie and Luis Patiño.
Wade, however, expressed his excitement about returning to the Padres by posting “LFGSD” with a brown and yellow heart on X. All-Star rookie center fielder Jackson Merrill also showed support for Wade, sharing a picture of them together on his Instagram Stories with the caption, “TWADE LFG.”
Wade’s return to the Padres will give him the chance to spend multiple seasons with a team for the first time in his career.
He previously spent the majority of his career with the New York Yankees from 2017-2021, before brief stints with the Los Angeles Angels and Oakland Athletics. If Wade performs well in 2025, it could lead to a more permanent role in San Diego.
During the 2024 season, Wade appeared in 90 games, accumulating 138 at-bats. While he didn’t maintain a strong start to the season, slashing .217/.285/.239 with 30 hits, 28 runs, and two RBIs, his versatility and defensive contributions were invaluable.
Notably, Wade filled in at third base early in the season while Manny Machado recovered from elbow surgery, showcasing his ability to provide flexibility in the infield.
With Wade back on the roster, the Padres will benefit from his defensive versatility and ability to step in if any players are sidelined due to injury in the upcoming season. Wade’s continued presence will provide manager Bob Melvin with an important depth piece as the team looks to navigate the challenges of the 2025 campaign.
