*Prediction*
The Padres have clear needs beyond the infield, particularly on the pitching staff and perhaps in the outfield. As one recent rundown of potential offseason moves notes, the Padres’ infield may be “viable,” but the team has bigger gaps elsewhere, and moving Cronenworth could be a key way to address those.
Cronenworth’s contract is a burden relative to his value, and moving him could create necessary financial breathing room for the Padres, enhancing their ability to invest in pitching, outfield help, or other upgrades. This argument makes Cronenworth a prime candidate for a trade, especially to a club like the Giants who might appreciate his positional versatility and affordable production over a longer term.
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Cronenworth carries a seven-year, roughly $80 million extension — a significant commitment for a player who, while versatile, doesn’t deliver star-level offense.
Offloading that contract would give the Padres financial flexibility to pursue more impactful bats or invest in pitching.
Moreover, while Cronenworth has proven defensive versatility — capable of playing second, first, and other infield spots — the Padres already have some overlap and potential redundancy in their infield construction.
If Cronenworth is moved, the Padres could re-balance the infield via free agency or by promoting from within, and use resources freed up by the trade to address more pressing roster holes.
Given the uncertainty about who will play first or second base if Cronenworth leaves, the Padres could also look to acquire a more traditional first baseman or reshuffle their infield.
Trading Cronenworth could net a useful return, alleviate payroll strain, and help the Padres redirect priorities toward pitching.
Why the Giants Should Pursue Cronenworth
The Giants have been linked to Cronenworth as a potential infielder who could bring versatility and depth, with reasonable financial terms for a team looking to get more value per dollar.
Cronenworth’s ability to play second base — plus history at first and third — offers flexibility for the Giants. While he spent time at first in recent seasons, his defensive value is reportedly higher at second.
That kind of positional adaptability is valuable for a club like San Francisco, which may want to rotate players, rest veterans, or cover injuries without losing much defensively.
Because his contract is reasonable relative to production, acquiring him wouldn’t necessarily jeopardize future payroll flexibility — and for a team hunting for value, that matters.
Cronenworth could serve as a reliable veteran presence in the Giants’ infield. Even if he’s not an elite slugger, his track record of getting on base (.367 OBP in 2025 per one report) and his previous All-Star-level offensive output, combined with his defensive chops and ability to handle multiple positions, makes him a stable building block.
In a division where flexibility and roster depth often decide tight games, having a multi-positional infielder who can handle second or shift to first/third when needed gives San Francisco tangible advantages.
A swap sending Cronenworth to the Giants does more than just shuffle personnel — it helps both clubs align with their immediate priorities. For the Padres, it’s a step toward rebalancing payroll and addressing rotation/outfield needs. For the Giants, it adds versatility and infield stability, potentially filling a second-base need while offering defensive flexibility elsewhere.
In today’s game, where roster construction is as much about flexibility and cost management as pure star power, this kind of mutually beneficial trade could be the smart move. Cronenworth may not be a superstar, but that’s exactly why he fits — steady, flexible, cost-controlled.
If the Padres decide to trade him this offseason, the Giants should be among the first to call.