Luis Arraez

Some of this has to do with the Padres looking to create more financial flexibility, but Passan also notes that there aren't many free-agent infielders available this off-season so the Padres could get back "a premium" if they traded either Arraez or Cronenworth. The 30-year-old Cronenworth had his worst season as a defender at second base last year and could potentially be aging into more of a 1B-only option, making it hard to play both him and Arraez. Neither player is a real threat on the bases or brings a ton of thump with their bat, so it makes sense for the Padres to look to see what they could get for either.

One year removed from an offseason that saw the Padres radically alter the direction of their franchise by paring down on payroll and trading superstar Juan Soto to the Yankees, San Diego once again finds itself in something of a financial pickle. The club is expected to maintain its payroll level from 2024 headed into…

One year removed from an offseason that saw the Padres radically alter the direction of their franchise by paring down on payroll and trading superstar Juan Soto to the Yankees, San Diego once again finds itself in something of a financial pickle. The club is expected to maintain its payroll level from 2024 headed into…