As the MLB Spring Training period gets underway, many teams still need to be making moves to advance their rosters before the season gets fully underway. For the San Diego Padres, this will lead to teams trying to make a last minute attempt to try and trade for Fernando Tatis Jr.
*Prediction*
While the Padres would ultimately opt to not trade Tatis Jr, they need to restructure their payroll to be better set for the future. Clearing Tatis Jr’s 14-year, $340 million contract he signed in 2021 off the book would be the way they do so.
If San Diego does trade Tatis Jr., a team that makes sense to acquire him is the Toronto Blue Jays.
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The Toronto Blue Jays were looking to be in a good spot following a season in which they made the World Series. They made significant upgrades with additions like Dylan Cease, Kazuma Okamoto, and Cody Ponce while really only having Bo Bichette be their noticeable loss.
While this was setting up to be the case, the Blue Jays got unfortunate news surrounding their outfielder, Anthony Santander, as he will no web sidelined for five or six months after having to undergo labral surgery.
Anthony Santander, who signed a five-year, $92.5 million contract a year ago with the Blue Jays, is undergoing left labral surgery and will be sidelined 5-6 months, Blue Jays manager John Schneider announces.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 10, 2026
The Blue Jays are now in a spot where they need outfield help, and this could lead to them turning to the Padres to trade for Tatis Jr.
For the Blue Jays, automatically what should make Tatis Jr. a top trade target is the offensive impact he would provide. Last season, Tatis Jr had a .268/.368/.446 slash line with 25 home runs and 71 runs batted in. Over his entire career he has provided the stabilizing play on offense as shown by his .277/.354/.513 slash line with 152 home runs and 393 runs batted in across six seasons.
The athleticism of Fernando Tatis Jr that leads to his effectiveness on offense, also plays a role in him making an impact on defense. Between his experience, upside, and ability to make an impact in multiple ways, he can fit on the Blue Jays well and help them stay on track with contending in 2026.
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