TL;DR
- Fernando Tatis, Jr. is a skilled two-way talent, making him a potential trade candidate for the San Diego Padres.
- Despite denials, rival GMs may present overwhelming offers for Tatis due to his age, contract, and skills.
- Tatis's contract is team-friendly, and a PED clause lessens long-term risk for acquiring clubs.
- Teams like the Giants, Mariners, Rangers, Cardinals, and Cubs could be interested in Tatis.
Sometimes it just makes too much sense. This winter, Tarik Skubal seems like the obvious star who will be moved because it makes too much sense for the Detroit Tigers to trade him.
But there is another star player who could fit that description too.
The San Diego Padres haven’t indicated they’re shopping Fernando Tatis, Jr.; in fact, they've told local media they won't.
It's quite logical for The Padres to consider offers as rival GMs present overwhelming trade proposals.
Tatis, at 26 years old, coming off a 4-plus WAR season, remains among the sport's most skilled two-way talents. However, his age, contract terms, and the Padres' evolving payroll strategy position him as an uncommon superstar whose name can be discussed without seeming entirely unrealistic.
The most recent wave of conjecture was ignited by a straightforward inquiry: if elite right-handed bats are scarce and the cost of free agents rise, which player would be the most significant acquisition a contending team could realistically obtain?
This response prompted some baseball figures, such as YES Network’s Michael Kay on ESPN Radio, to suggest Tatis as a player worth considering. This isn't due to the Padres' desire to trade him, but rather because numerous teams have a significant need for his skills.
Tatis hit.268 with 25 home runs, 71 RBIs and 32 steals last season, all while playing Gold Glove-caliber defense in right field. He can still play shortstop or shift to left. His 14-year, $340 million contract averages just over $24 million annually through his age-36 season, with near-term salaries of $20–25 million that look increasingly team-friendly as revenues grow.
He also comes with certain assurances. Should he commit another PED violation, the remaining funds could be forfeited, a stipulation that, amusingly, lessens the long-term risk for any club looking to acquire him.
Teams looking for star power, athleticism and contract control, like the San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs all make sense. And if San Diego eventually explores reshaping its roster again, Tatis becomes the kind of player who can change an entire franchise’s direction overnight.
He’s not on the trade block. But he might be the most fascinating “What if?” Of the winter.
