Padres GM Opens Up About Fernando Tatis Jr. Trade Rumors

Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres outfielder

Rumors started circulating about a month ago that Fernando Tatis Jr. could be on the trade block, as the San Diego Padres try to figure out their next steps moving forward. Now GM AJ Preller has opened up about Tatis's situation with the team, and he made it clear, in no uncertain terms, that his superstar outfielder isn't going anywhere.

He’s somebody that … we’re not talking about (trading). So, however you want to view that, if you want to say that’s untouchable, you can say that.
I’ve seen the reports on Tatis and things like that. Tatis is one of the best players in baseball. We believe he’s one of the top guys in baseball... This guy’s taken over portions of seasons and games and playoff series... I think for us to get to where we want to get to, we need Fernando to be an A-lane, MVP, whatever kind of category you want to put on it. He can be that type of player.

--AJ Preller, in The Athletic

But would Preller actually hang up the phone if some team called to ask about his 'untouchable' player, Tatis?

“There’s a bunch of guys on the roster that we’re not looking to have conversations about,” Preller said. “If somebody wants to call and say, ‘Hey … would you talk about this guy?’ we say we’re not talking about those players — ‘I don’t see us doing that.’ You know, if somebody wants to say, ‘Hey, would you do this?’ you’re not going to just, like, cover your ears and say, ‘Hang up the phone immediately.’"

Is Fernando Tatis Jr. untouchable in trade talks? AJ Preller addressed the question today at the MLB Winter Meetings: pic.twitter.com/tlcaOQW3fs
— 97.3 The Fan (@973TheFanSD) December 10, 2025

Nevertheless, it sounds like Tatis Jr. is set to stay in San Diego for the foreseeable future. The 26-year-old three-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glover had another elite season in 2025, launching 25 homers and stealing 32 bases, while posting an .814 OPS and finishing 8th in MVP balloting in the NL.

He's still in the first half of a 14-year, $340 million contract, set to expire in 2034 when Tatis Jr. is 35 years old.