The general consensus heading the 2023 MLB season is that the Padres view Fernando Tatis Jr. as an important part of their future, if not the most important part. Yes, they have had to be very patient with him during his injury and suspension but most franchises would do the same for a 24-year-old who already won a Silver Slugger award multiple times and dominated the shortstop position.
However, his success at shortstop may be the very reason that he eventually hits the field in a completely different uniform. El Niño is in the process of moving to the right field full-time due to San Diego's acquisition of Xander Bogaerts. Both sides have been comfortable with the change for now but what if that changes down the road at some point? Will the Friars and Tatis agree that his talents would be better off elsewhere?
MLB Network host Greg Amsinger certainly thinks so as he joined Seattle Sports 710AM and revealed that he believes that the next colossal MLB trade could very well involve Tatis heading to the Seattle Mariners.
"The one thing the Mariners have: a lot of young starting pitching depth and talent in the farm system. So if the Mariners wanted to pull off a mega deal, they’ve got the pieces to go do it to address the shortstop position,” said Amsinger. "If A.J. Preller is looking for what he doesn’t have, which is young starting pitching depth because he gave it all away to get Juan Soto, there’s a match, man. There’s a match. And Tatís to the Mariners to be the wingman to Julio Rodríguez, and Jarred Kelenic, Teoscar Hernández – that would be massive."
(Via Seattle Sports 710AM)
No signs point to either Tatis or the Padres' organization being unhappy with the current situation but they are still in the honeymoon period of his return to the field. He will not be eligible to return officially to the lineup until late April and that will be when we really see how he fits back into the squad.
When it comes to batting, I believe Tatis will be just fine. We last saw him in 2021 and he hammered in 42 home runs with an on base percentage of .364. However, it could be the defensive end that causes some issues. He's clearly shown skill at the shortstop position and moving to the outfield is completely different.
Amsinger made a great point in that the Mariners can offer young pitchers to the Friars and that will be their main selling point to them but if El Niño is unhappy with his new role, that would further motivate San Diego to get the deal done.
“I do not think Fernando Tatís Jr. is going to be a happy camper playing right field,” said Amsinger. “He’s just not – I don’t think he will be. He’s saying all the right things right now, but he wants to a shortstop. He thinks he’s the best shortstop that’s ever been born, he’s that confident of a guy.”
Tatis is also currently on a $340 million contract and the Padres have their books filled for a while. If they deal Tatis, that would give them a significant amount of dough to re-sign Juan Soto and potentially target Shohei Ohtani.
However, it is clear that El Niño is a clear favorite for the franchise and also the fans. They want to see him go back to superstar ways and lead them to a World Series.
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