MLB analyst identifies Fernando Tatis Jr. as the pivot in a Padres lineup reset

The San Diego Padres appear to be heading into a crossroads this offseason. The team needs to revamp its lineup, adding more power and getting rid of the veterans who were not carrying their weight.

The key to the Padres' lineup reset is Fernando Tatís Jr. Tatís is still probably the best young player in the San Diego organization, but there could be questions beginning to grow about his ability to carry the team in the future.

Fernando Tatis Jr. called the linchpin in a Padres lineup reset

Part of this stems from the fact that, yes, San Diego needs help this offseason, potentially a lot of help. Their team in 2025 was full of veterans well past their prime, playing crucial innings. Their starting rotation is about to lose two of its top three arms from this year to free agency, and they are also likely to lose their closer to the free market as well.

While it's fun to dream about big-name free agent signings like Kyle Tucker and Pete Alonso, that might not be in San Diego's budget. The more likely route is that AJ Preller will conduct his annual "wheel and deal" offseason and try to trade his way back into contention.

Would Tatís be considered in a trade? It's possible, writes the Athletic's Dennis Lin.

"If Tatis appears unlikely to return to his pre-suspension production levels, would the Padres at least explore his trade market? Like Machado and Bogaerts, Tatis can veto any deal, and it would be difficult to recoup fair value for a player of his caliber. In other words, it seems unlikely."

Unlikely, but surely more likely than the chances they trade Bogaerts or Machado. Bogaerts is past his prime and would have almost no trade value. Machado would have some value, but he is too expensive to get back anything close to what he's worth.

Tatís is young enough that he might still be able to fetch elite talent back in a trade. If San Diego wants to revamp the roster, trading Tatís might be the best way to bring in a large amount of talent in bulk.

It is worth wondering if Tatís will ever return to his pre-suspension levels of production, particularly his power numbers. He crushed 42 home runs in 2021, but since then, he has not eclipsed 25. After slugging at a .596 rate through his first three seasons, he's posted just a .459 slugging in the three years since his return.

Tatís might never be the guy he was in 2021 again, and in that case, he does become expendable, for the right price.

The Padres probably won't deal Tatís. They'd probably be silly to do so. However, you never know with AJ Preller.

Assuming San Diego keeps Tatís, it's important that moving forward, the team does not treat him as a big power bat in the lineup. While the Padres can obviously hope Tatís and Machado can hit 30 home runs each next year, their recent track record has shown that is not something they are currently capable of. San Diego should build around Tatís for his ability to get on base, play great defense, and run the bases well. He's an all-around star, but he's not a super slugger, and San Diego should plan accordingly.