Last weekend, the San Diego Padres made the curious decision to start their Gold Glove right fielder, Fernando Tatis Jr., at second base for two games.
Practically, it allowed San Diego to give veteran outfielder Nick Castellanos a chance to play right field, while keeping Tatis in the lineup as well. Perhaps the Padres are worried about Jake Cronenworth’s slump to begin the season.
Having Tatis Jr. as an option to play at second base opens up more potential lineups for the Padres, who are still working to mix and match until they find their perfect lineup this season.
However, one MLB Analyst has another idea for why the Padres tried Tatis at second base.
The Padres Are Showing-Off Tatis Jr To Potential Trade Partners, Says Harold Reynolds
“He’s the most talented player in all of baseball,” said MLB Network analyst Harold Reynolds.
When one of his cohosts pushed back that Shohei Ohtani was more talented, Reynolds had this to say.
“Ohtani cannot play short, can’t play left,” Reynolds said.
He reiterated that he felt Tatis Jr. was the most talented player in the league, and said he could probably pitch if the Padres asked him to.
“Look, he’s playing second base right now; he hadn’t done it,” Reynolds said. “He can go get any ball; the range is ridiculous. He’s an unbelievable player, we’re being reminded of how great this guy is.”
Reynolds gave Tatis Jr credit for moving to right field at his team’s wishes and winning a platinum glove at the position. However, Reynolds speculated that San Diego had ulterior motives for trying Tatis Jr out at second base.
“I think this is a showcase,” Reynolds said. “Because the Padres’ payroll… I’m sorry, they gotta do something. They can’t carry this payroll. The Dodgers can, they can’t carry this. Somebody’s got to go.”
If The Padres Need to Clear Payroll, A Tatis Trade Might Be the Only Option
The reality in San Diego is that over the next eight years, the Padres owe $887 million to the quartet of Tatis Jr, Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts, and Jackson Merrill.
Among those four, Bogaerts is almost completely untradeable. He’s owed $200 million across the next eight seasons and has already declined to a league-average shortstop. There is not a team in baseball that would trade for his contract.
Machado, while still an above-average third baseman, is also on the wrong side of thirty and owed $266 million over the next eight seasons. San Diego might be able to package Machado with a prospect or two to get out of his contract, but they would not be able to move Machado for free.
“Who of those guys do I want?” Reynolds asked. “I want Fernando Tatis.”
The MLB Network crew went on to compare Tatis Jr to the Dodgers’ former MVP and gold glove winner, Mookie Betts, who moved from second base to right field in Boston, and is now the Dodgers’ starting shortstop.
Trading Tatis Jr might not be the ideal scenario for the Padres, but if clearing payroll is their goal, Reynolds has a point. Teams would be interested, and showcasing him around the infield would only increase his value.
Padres Are “Showcasing” Fernando Tatis Jr For Potential Trade, Says One MLB Analyst