According to FanSided’s Robert Murray, Kyle Hart is guaranteed just $1 million under the terms of his new deal with the Padres.
$200,000 is in the form of a buyout of a $2.5 million club option for 2027, so he’ll make barely more than the MLB minimum in 2026. However, the option can increase to $4.5 million and the buyout to $500,000 based on appearances next season. Some of those escalators are based on games started, so it sounds like Hart will get a chance to compete for a rotation spot in spring training. That said, it’s probably best if he returns to the pen.