MLB Rumors: Padres Could Trade Fernando Tatis Jr. Soon

November 12, 2025
San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. rounds the bases during 2025 game.

The Fernando Tatis Jr. trade conversation is real this winter as the San Diego Padres confront a top-heavy, backloaded payroll and a roster that keeps bowing out early in October. 

With Mike Shildt’s surprise retirement and Craig Stammen stepping in, league chatter says A.J. Preller is exploring every path to reshape the club. Insiders point to Tatis as the one star who could actually move because his 14-year, 340 million contract now looks relatively team friendly compared to recent mega deals.

Why Tatis Is Their Most Valuable Chip

Tatis just posted a .268 average with a .368 on-base, an .814 OPS, 25 homers and 71 RBIs across 155 games, then paired that with elite defense that earned both a Gold Glove and the National League Platinum Glove. 

He is 26, under control for nine more seasons and brings impact on both sides of the ball. That mix of age, production and cost certainty would return blue-chip prospects in a league where comparable bats are far pricier. 

The Padres are squeezed by aging, backloaded commitments for veterans and need rotation and bullpen reinforcements after another Wild Card exit to the Chicago Cubs. Moving Tatis is not the preferred outcome, but multiple reports frame him as the one player whose value could both reset the balance sheet and restock the system in one swing.

Keeping Tatis is still on the table if San Diego can thread the needle around the payroll while upgrading the mound. 

If the Padres intend to pivot quickly and contend, trading their best all-around player is a gamble. If they prioritize a longer runway, Tatis is the rare piece who can bring back the volume and quality to launch a new core. 

Either way, the industry expects San Diego to at least listen, because few stars would fetch more today than Fernando Tatis Jr.

Photo Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images

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