​As the San Diego Padres approach the trade deadline with little clarity on whether they should buy or sell, they have received news about a former player who could have seemed like an appealing reclamation project. Earlier this week, Pedro Avila, a right-hander who previously pitched for the Padres, chose to leave affiliated baseball altogether after a rough stretch in Triple-A made it clear he would be better served pursuing opportunities elsewhere.
The Korea Baseball Organization’s SSG Landers announced on Wednesday that they have signed Avila for the remainder of the 2026 season, according to Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors. Cleveland released Avila last week after he had been pitching for their Triple-A affiliate to facilitate the move. This change officially ends Avila’s most recent run in affiliated baseball and gives the 29-year-old a chance to revive his career in Asia.
Avila’s on-field performance in 2026, particularly with the Columbus Clippers, was disappointing, but his overall major league resume remains stronger than his recent numbers might indicate. Adams pointed out that Avila, at 29, is a veteran of five big league seasons. He has thrown 146 1/3 innings in the majors for both the Padres and the Guardians, posting a solid 3.51 ERA with a 23.8% strikeout rate, a 10.6% walk rate, and a 49.2% ground-ball rate. Throughout his career, Avila has been valued for his versatility, functioning as a multi-inning reliever and a swingman who could spot start when needed. He spent portions of five seasons with San Diego before moving on to Cleveland’s organization, where he developed a reputation as a flexible pitcher capable of filling various roles.
However, Avila’s latest season failed to gain traction, and his final appearance within the Guardians system was particularly rough: seven earned runs allowed in less than two innings. That meltdown underscored what had become a challenging period for him. The results in Columbus—3-7 with a 7.50 ERA over 15 appearances, including 13 starts—were not favorable, and several tough outings late in his Triple-A tenure helped precipitate a change of scenery that could benefit both the player and the organization.
According to Yonhap News Agency’s Yoo Jee-ho, Avila will earn US$380,000 in salary for the remainder of the 2026 KBO season, with an additional $200,000 available in incentives. His 2026 campaign in the United States had seen him work primarily as a Columbus Clippers pitcher, and the move overseas represents a fresh start in a different league. This decision reflects both Avila’s willingness to adapt and the Clippers’ openness to realigning their pitching depth.
Now with the SSG Landers, Avila will face a new set of challenges and opportunities in the Korea Baseball Organization. A successful stretch in Korea could help him rebuild his value and potentially reestablish himself as a viable option for a return to Major League Baseball in the future, while also providing the Landers with a seasoned arm for the remainder of the 2026 season. The cross-continental move underscores how players can pivot to foreign leagues to extend careers, gain experience, and showcase their skills against high-level competition.