A.J. Preller is no stranger to making big trades to improve the San Diego Padres. MLB Network spoke about an excerpt from The San Diego Union-Tribune's Kevin Acee, noting that two sources familiar with the Padres' discussions said Preller is "shooting big" this offseason. The Padres are working on multiple fronts to make a trade that will "rival the massive trade in which they acquired four major leaguers for Juan Soto and Trent Grisham at the Winter Meetings two years ago." The source also stated that this deal would make the last two trade deadlines "pale in comparison".
The Padres are extremely limited financially this offseason. This limitation means a massive trade would have to involve one of their players with multiple years of team control. Preller has stated that Fernando Tatis Jr. Will not be traded, although that isn't a guarantee. The names that could be considered as part of this substantial trade are the following:
- Jackson Merrill - nine-year $135 million, signed through 2035
- Fernando Tatis Jr. - 14-year $340 million, signed through 2034
- Manny Machado - 11-year $350 million, signed through 2033
- Xander Bogaerts - 11-year $280 million, signed through 2033
- Jake Cronenworth - seven-year $80 million, signed through 2030
- Yu Darvish - six-year $108 million, signed through 2028
- Mason Miller - three years of arbitration through 2028
Darvish is set to miss the 2026 season due to a UCL injury that required an internal brace surgery. With him missing next season and being 39, he won't be a trade candidate. Machado is 33 and has a full trade clause, but MLB Network analyst Harold Reynolds thinks a massive move would need to include the third baseman and Miller.
With the closer market being a primary focus for many contenders this offseason, a trade involving Miller would offer major value. Edwin Díaz has signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, leaving Robert Suarez as the only top-tier free-agent closer available. It still seems a trade involving Miller is a long shot, but Preller has been known as a general manager who isn't afraid to do the unthinkable.
A trade would likely involve Cronenworth or Merrill. Cronenworth's name has already been shopped around. He had a productive season in 2025, hitting.246/.367/.377 with 11 home runs, 61 runs, and 59 RBIs over 515 plate appearances. His.744 OPS was his highest since 2021. Cronenworth, 31, provides veteran leadership at second base that teams could benefit from. He's also been able to stay primarily healthy, playing in at least 127 games over the last five seasons. He wouldn't bring back the value that Merrill could, though.
Merrill has been outstanding in his two MLB seasons, posting 40 home runs, 136 runs, and 157 RBIs. He only turns 23 in April and is under team control through 2035. That makes moving Merrill the most logical trade candidate to qualify as a "massive trade". He would definitely bring back multiple MLB-ready players.
It's safe to say there is no predicting what Preller is planning. He's made moves that shocked the MLB world, but one thing is for sure: nothing should be considered off limits this time around.