Trade rumors have been swirling around the San Diego Padres all offseason. A new name has reportedly been added to the trade block.
Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported that the Padres are willing to move both infielders Xander Bogaerts and Jake Cronenworth in trades. Such a trade would be part of an effort to slash payroll as Acee reported that the Padres want to move on from a “significant” amount of the money owed to both players. He also noted that reliever Robert Suarez may be the most likely player to be traded despite the Padres’ efforts to move on from both infielders.
Bogaerts has been a disappointment since signing an 11-year, $280 million contract during the 2022-23 offseason. He posted a .264/.307/.381 batting line in his 463 plate appearances, hitting 11 homers and 15 doubles while stealing 13 bases. The four-time All-Star also missed time with a fractured bone in his left shoulder, costing him approximately two months of action.
The Padres have another roadblock to moving on from Bogaerts aside from the approximately $229 million he is due over the next nine years. Bogaerts has a full no-trade clause and could shut down any possible trade.
Cronenworth has another six years and approximately $72.7 million left on the seven-year, $80 million extension he signed ahead of the 2023 season. He posted a .241/.324/.390 batting line in his 656 plate appearances, hitting 17 homers and 29 doubles. While Cronenworth does not have a full no-trade clause and a lower salary, he can veto a deal to eight teams.
Any trade may hinge on how much salary the Padres are willing to cover and any additional pieces involved. If San Diego is willing to include a notable prospect, it could get more salary relief and possibly a piece to help contend in 2025.
