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3 players Padres could surprisingly trade before non-tender deadline

By Thomas Carannante |
Aug 9, 2022; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth (9) hits a sacrifice fly during the sixth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 9, 2022; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth (9) hits a sacrifice fly during the sixth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
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Though the San Diego Padres‘ roster for the 2023 season seems set … nothing ever is as long as general manager AJ Preller is running the show. There are always constant tweaks being considered behind the scenes, even if things seem like they’re all fine and dandy.

With the non-tender deadline approaching on Friday, it represents a potential opportunity for Preller to shake things up once again. Will he? Padres fans truly don’t know. But he could offload some salaries, create some more flexibility and roster space, and prepare for what else is to come this offseason.

There’s certainly room for the Padres to upgrade and there’s a need for them to look ahead to 2024 and beyond: guys like Yu Darvish, Blake Snell, Josh Hader and Luis Garcia will be free agents after this year. That’s half of the rotation and two important back-end bullpen pieces.

Additionally, some of those eligible for arbitration could either be sold high or aren’t suitable for what the Padres are trying to accomplish after their impressive run to the NLCS. We’re not saying look for a mass exodus before Friday evening, but don’t be surprised if there’s a move or two before the team has to tender contracts they may not be confident with.

3 Padres players who could surprisingly be traded before non-tender deadline

Jorge Alfaro #38 of the San Diego Padres (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Jorge Alfaro #38 of the San Diego Padres (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

3. Jorge Alfaro

The Padres’ backup catcher, Jorge Alfaro, is entering his third and final year of arbitration eligibility and is due for a $3.6 million salary. That’s not a price they need to pay, especially with Austin Nola as the starter and entering his first year of arbitration eligibility.

It’s already been speculated Alfaro could be a non-tender candidate — which is realistic — but knowing how weak the catcher market constantly is, as well as Preller’s ability to get something out of nothing, a trade is certainly on the table.

Alfaro at $3.6 million for one year isn’t a bad deal for another team in need of catching help (whether that be a starter or a platoon situation). Alfaro had a 94 OPS+ in his 82 games played and registered a 0.2 dWAR.

The Padres don’t need that, but a number of other teams might be willing to take chance with a low-stakes trade.

Trent Grisham #2 of the San Diego Padres (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Trent Grisham #2 of the San Diego Padres (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

2. Trent Grisham

Trent Grisham was a lightning rod for the Padres in the Wild Card Series and NLDS against the Mets and Dodgers … but does that make up for his overall 2022 performance?

After a solid (but average) 2021 campaign (his first official full season with the Pads), Grisham was dreadful in 2022, slashing .184/.284/.341 with an 83 OPS+. His previous ability to act as a threat on the basepaths disappeared as well. He struck out 150 times in 524 plate appearances. Sure, he was good for a 1.3 dWAR and won the NL Gold Glove in center field, but he made some egregious errors in center field that really just made you shake your head.

And why did he bunt in the NLCS? May not have been his fault or call, but the fact he was the central figure in that puzzling decision makes it all the worse.

He’s due $2.6 million in his first year of arbitration eligibility, which is something the Padres are more than likely content with paying, especially for the value he provides when his bat wakes up. It’s also hard to find above-average defense in center field.

But a trade here could help the Padres replenish their decimated farm system in a small way and maybe allow them to consider a … non-tendered Cody Bellinger? One last big contract for Brandon Nimmo? A lesser deal for the recently dumped Kevin Kiermaier, who is also a defensive stalwart?

A Grishman trade/non-tender is unlikely, but there remains an avenue to make either happen.

Jake Cronenworth #9 of the San Diego Padres (Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images)
Jake Cronenworth #9 of the San Diego Padres (Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images) /

1. Jake Cronenworth

Have we gone mad? No. Just hear us out.

Fernando Tatis Jr. will be back in the fold for 2023. He’s the starting shortstop. So what happens with Ha-Seong Kim? Does he move over to second base? Would the Padres then move Jake Cronenworth to first base? Or would they rather trade him, get the highest valuable possible, replenish the farm/get some more MLB talent, and then bring back someone like Josh Bell? Or sign Jose Abreu? Or Yuli Gurriel?

Cronenworth has been an All-Star for two straight seasons, but he did see his numbers dip in 2022. He batted .239 with a .722 OPS and 111 OPS+. Not All-Star numbers when all was said and done.

He’s due for $4.4 million in his first year of arbitration and will have escalating costs in 2024 and 2025. Other teams out there may value that type of control for a promising middle infielder. Meanwhile, Kim is signed through 2026 and probably has less trade value since he’s on the hook for $15 million total the next two years plus two arb years in 2025 and 2026.

Could Preller do the unthinkable and move Cronenworth for the previous aforementioned reasons that … actually make sense?

It’d be fairly shocking, yes, but what isn’t when Preller is making roster alterations?

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