Front Row Seat: Who are the Padres most likely to trade?
The Padres trade rumors continue to swirl at the MLB Winter Meetings, Lionel Messi wins MLS MVP, CONCACAF Champions Cup draw, private equity arrives in college sports and a bunch more in today's AM newsletter.
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Darren Smith
San Diego Padres
Padres seem intent on getting better at start without giving away ending - San Diego Union-Tribune
Two sources continued to insist on Tuesday that Preller is working on a series of deals that would qualify as blockbusters.
Those sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to publicly discuss team business, were among three people who reiterated the Padres will not trade Fernando Tatis Jr. this offseason. And any trade of starting pitcher Nick Pivetta, who is due $20.5 million in ‘26, would have to bring back a return that could lead to the acquisition of more starting pitching.
If the Padres make a move, who are they most likely to trade? - MLB.com
Cronenworth’s name has been mentioned in trade speculation seemingly every offseason and Trade Deadline since he arrived in San Diego. Notably, he’s still a Padre. So why would this year be any different?
Chances are, it won’t be. It’s likelier than not that Cronenworth will return to San Diego next season. But the Padres will at least entertain a move. Especially if it would net them a quality return, while freeing up some resources they could allocate elsewhere.
Cronenworth has five years and $60 million remaining on his contract, which sounds about right for his level of production. He’s been a wholly serviceable player the past few years -- essentially a league-average hitter who brings extra value with his glove and versatility.
Then again, if the Padres were to trade Cronenworth, they’d leave a major hole at second base without an obvious path to fill it. Cronenworth has spent six seasons in San Diego and is highly regarded in the clubhouse. The Padres wouldn’t move him unless they were to fetch a decent haul in return.
Padres Make Three New Hires To Coaching Staff - MLB Trade Rumors
The Padres are expected to hire Bob Henley, Ryan Goins, and Kevin Plawecki to the team’s revamped coaching staff under new manager Craig Stammen, The Athletic’s Dennis Lin reports. Henley will coach third base, Goins will be an infield coach, and Plawecki will move from being a minor league catching instructor for the Padres to a new role as the big league catching coach. First base coach David Macias will return in his role, and Nick Punto will also return for a second year on San Diego’s staff in an unspecified role.
Tucker Musgrove turns heads at Arizona Fall League - MadFriars
Coming into 2025, little was truly known about right-hander Tucker Musgrove. The original plan was for the 2023 seventh-round pick, who was more of an outfielder in college, was to be developed as a two-way player.
That was understandable, given that he hit .397 with eight home runs and a 1.120 OPS in 189 at-bats for the NAIA University of Mobile in his final collegiate season. Meanwhile, on the bump, he posted a 3.00 ERA with a 28% strikeout rate in just 18 innings. However, the two-way dream was ultimately scrapped when he underwent Tommy John surgery shortly after the draft. After a lengthy recovery, Musgrove finally returned to the mound this summer, working 20 innings for Lake Elsinore. Out of the bullpen, he posted a strong 30.6% strikeout rate. While his 5.40 ERA wasn’t stellar, the punchouts fueled a stronger 3.75 xFIP.
The Padres decided to see more of Musgrove by sending him to the Arizona Fall League where the right-hander flashed some of the best raw stuff in the San Diego system to turn heads.
