The San Diego Padres are entering a strange offseason, with uncertainty in the organization, while still trying to contend, which means some key veterans could be dealt.
Fernando Tatis Jr. Was mentioned in trade rumors earlier in the offseason, but he's not likely to be moved. But a player like Jake Cronenworth is a name worth paying attention to this offseason.
According to ESPN insiders Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan, the Padres have a reason to consider trading Cronenworth. A combination of the rotation and money-saving intentions is two reasons the Padres could trade the versatile infielder.
Padres trade plans for Jake Cronenworth revealed by ESPN insiders
"As the Padres grapple with a rotation that needs three spots filled behind Nick Pivetta and Joe Musgrove, who is returning from Tommy John surgery, their financial state comes into play." McDaniel and Passan write. "They need to save money, and dealing Cronenworth is the easiest route to do so, with his appealing versatility and five years and $60 million remaining on his deal."
Cronenworth could be on the move this offseason, as the Padres need to find ways to replace Yu Darvish, Dylan Cease, and Michael King in the starting rotation.
While players like JP Sears and Randy Vasquez could factor into the rotation, the Padres need at least one more front-line starter if they want to contend in 2026.
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Cronenworth might be the best trade chip for the Padres, as he's affordable for a new team to acquire, and his freed-up money would allow the Padres to bring in a much-needed starter in free agency.
Only under contract for $60 million across the next five seasons, there would be plenty of teams interested in trading for Cronenworth. McDaniel and Passan link the Seattle Mariners, Pittsburgh Pirates, Miami Marlins, and Kansas City Royals could all be trade fits.
Of those four, the Pirates, Royals, and Marlins all have veteran starting pitchers the Padres could try to acquire in a Cronenworth trade.
With a predicted chance of 25% for Cronenworth to be traded according to McDaniel and Passan, a trade can't be ruled out this winter for the Padres' versatile infielder.
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