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Padres have a way to fix second base and leave Fernando Tatis Jr. in right field

The best move for Tatis might be signing a second baseman.
ByTremayne Person
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Sep 30, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) reacts after hitting a single in the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox during game two of the Wildcard round for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Sep 30, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) reacts after hitting a single in the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox during game two of the Wildcard round for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Moving Fernando Tatis Jr. to second base is undoubtedly a clever way for the Padres to open up their offseason. But it only works if they find the right answer in right field. Until then, we’d leave Tatis in right and perhaps, give Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s agent a call.

Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported that the Padres have discussed Chisholm internally. That’s as far as the reporting goes. There’s enough there to take the fit seriously, though. Chisholm played second full time for the Yankees in 2026, and signing him would let the Padres upgrade the infield while keeping one of their best defenders where he’s already proven himself.

The Padres should make a right fielder earn the Tatis move

We’ve seen what Tatis does to a game from right field. The Friars don’t have to think hard about penciling him out there each night. Moving him to second means giving up something they can see for a lineup upgrade they still have to go find.

Chisholm clears a more straightforward path. The Padres slugged .384 from the left side in 2026, 23rd in baseball. Even in a down year, he hit 19 home runs and stole 41 bases. That’s a way to get more left-handed pop into the order and give opposing pitchers another runner to worry about. He also hit .231/.312/.399, so we’d price the deal around the player he is coming off that season. The 30–30 year tells us what’s possible but that doesn’t command the same price.

Chisholm at second would leave the Padres with a decision they need to make anyway. Jake Cronenworth has four years left on his deal and is coming off a replacement-level season. If Ty France signs somewhere else, there’s room for Cronenworth to get some work at first. Preller can give him those at-bats and still shop for a bat there. A long contract is a reason to figure out where a player can help.

The rotation still gets first claim on the money. Michael King opted out, the Padres declined Nick Pivetta’s option, and there are a lot of innings to replace. Chisholm is worth pursuing at a price that leaves Preller room to do that work. There’s no qualifying-offer draft-pick penalty attached to him, which helps. The dollars still have to work.

If the price is right, sign Jazz to play second and send Tatis back out to right. If Preller wants to move Tatis anyway, bring us the name of the right fielder first.

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