The San Diego Padres head into the Winter Meetings facing a tough crossroads. They’re weighing blockbuster trades while trying to stay competitive in 2025 and beyond.
GM A.J. Preller isn’t shy about listening to offers, though he keeps the details close to the vest. Several key names have started to surface as real—and in one case, jaw-dropping—trade candidates as San Diego looks to reshape its roster and payroll.
Padres Trade Strategy: Balancing Now and the Future
Under A.J. Preller, the Padres rarely play it safe. This winter, though, the approach feels more calculated and less wild than in years past.
San Diego wants to stay dangerous in the National League but also create flexibility in the rotation and payroll. That’s a tough needle to thread, honestly.
Just about every scenario seems possible right now. Whether it’s moving a steady infielder or floating a Cy Young contender—or even, maybe, their franchise face—the Padres are looking for ways to turn current assets into future stability.
Jake Cronenworth: Steady Production vs. Infield Instability
Jake Cronenworth tops the list of likely trade chips. He’s reliable, versatile, and a natural second baseman who can move all over the infield.
Teams value players like him, but his contract complicates things: five years and $60 million remain. For some clubs, that’s fine for an everyday guy. For the Padres, it’s another piece in a bigger puzzle.
If San Diego trades Cronenworth, it’s more about reallocating resources than talent. Dealing him would:
That last part is tricky. Trading Cronenworth clears money, sure, but it also creates an immediate infield problem if the team wants to contend.
Jeremiah Estrada: High-Leverage Arm as Trade Capital
The Padres’ bullpen depth gives them a rare luxury—they can actually consider moving a high-upside reliever and still have options late in games. That’s where Jeremiah Estrada comes in.
Estrada, now 27, brings big strikeout numbers, closer potential, and a cheap contract. On a lot of teams, he’d be untouchable. Here, he might be the perfect trade chip.
If they deal Estrada, the Padres could:
Pitching is expensive right now, and teams might overpay for a reliever like Estrada. The Padres are in a spot where it makes sense to listen.
Nick Pivetta: The Ace Who Might Be on the Move
Nick Pivetta is the most intriguing name on the trade block. He’s currently their best starter, coming off a year with a 2.87 ERA and a sixth-place finish in NL Cy Young voting.
Trading your top starter when you need pitching sounds wild, right? But Pivetta is set to earn $20.5 million next year and has an opt-out, so he could be a short-term rental for whoever gets him.
From San Diego’s perspective, moving Pivetta could:
If they move Pivetta, they’ll need a return that’s both deep and talented. They can’t afford to gut their rotation for a quick fix—they’d need to turn one ace into a solid foundation.
Fernando Tatis Jr.: The Nuclear Option
And then there’s Fernando Tatis Jr.—the name that makes fans and execs alike anxious. He’s only 26 and locked up for nine more years on a team-friendly deal. Tatis is the kind of player most teams wouldn’t even mention in trade talks.
But with Preller, you never really know. If the Padres ever did move Tatis, it would:
Is it likely? Not really. The cost in fan goodwill, clubhouse chemistry, and star power would be massive. Still, as long as the Padres are open to listening on anyone, other teams will keep checking in on Tatis—just in case.
What Comes Next for the Padres?
The Padres’ approach to these Winter Meetings rests on one thing: flexibility. They’re not tearing down.
But they’re willing to reshape. They’re not desperate—just motivated.
Maybe it’s a practical move, like trading a reliever. Maybe it’s something bigger, like a decision about Cronenworth or Pivetta.
Could they really consider moving Tatis? San Diego seems open for business, that’s for sure.
How bold they get will shape whether 2025 feels like a retool or a real push with a new-look core.
Here is the source article for this story: If the Padres make a move, who are they most likely to trade?
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