San Diego Padres rumors: 3 star players not named Juan Soto that could be moved this winter

Many of the narratives surrounding the San Diego Padres upcoming offseason involve Juan Soto being traded. But we might only be scratching the surface of the changes in personnel that may lie ahead.

That is, if you believe the latest from USA Today MLB insider Bob Nightengale, who reported that the Padres could be open to trading away some of their other big stars this winter in order to make room on their crowded payroll for a Juan Soto extension.

Surprised? Understandable. But make no mistake: the Padres have done this to themselves. As they navigate the uncertain waters that come with needing a $50 million loan to finance their expenses, change is undoubtedly forthcoming.

With all of that said, let's look at three players not named Juan Soto that could be traded this winter according to Nightengale.

1. The San Diego Padres could trade Fernando Tatis Jr. this winter

There are those who believe Tatis Jr. was a major culprit behind the San Diego Padres' clubhouse discord in 2023. He has acted irresponsibly, whether it be his motorcycle accident that caused him to miss all of 2022 or his PED suspension that forced him to miss the first 20 games of the 2023 season.

It's also true that for all of Tatis Jr.'s character flaws, he's a dynamic hitting talent that would be an asset to basically every lineup in baseball. Not to mention, he just won a Gold Glove for his defense in right field.

He's the whole package as a player, and while he was given a massive 14-year, $340 million extension two seasons ago, that contract will cover his prime years, an investment worth making just on his baseball abilities alone. The Padres could receive a franchise-altering haul for him, not to mention making room on their payroll for a Juan Soto extension, which they've been eyeing.