The San Diego Padres are clearly looking to trim payroll this offseason, but if you're hoping that means Fernando Tatis Jr. is on the move, think again. According to general manager A.J.
Preller, Tatis isn’t just staying put-he’s “untouchable.” And given his talent, age, and star power, that stance shouldn’t surprise anyone.
But while Tatis remains a cornerstone, the Padres are still exploring ways to create financial flexibility. One name that’s drawing attention in those discussions? Xander Bogaerts.
Bogaerts, who signed a massive 11-year, $280 million deal with San Diego ahead of the 2023 season, is entering the back half of that contract-and the numbers aren’t exactly trending in the right direction. From 2026 through 2033, he’s owed $25 million annually, totaling $200 million over eight years. That’s a significant commitment for a player who’s starting to show signs of decline as he moves into his mid-30s.
In 2025, Bogaerts posted a .263/.328/.391 slash line with 11 home runs and a .720 OPS across 136 games. Solid, but a far cry from the 33-homer power surge he delivered in 2019 with the Red Sox. The bat has cooled, and the defensive metrics haven’t exactly picked up the slack.
That combination-age, contract, and declining production-makes Bogaerts a tough sell on the trade market. If the Padres are serious about moving him, they’ll likely need to get creative.
That could mean eating a chunk of the remaining salary to make a deal more palatable to potential suitors. For example, if San Diego covers $10 million per year, that still frees up $15 million annually over the next eight seasons.
Not ideal, but it’s a path to some cap relief.
Of course, the more money the Padres are willing to absorb, the better the return they can expect. But even then, the reality is that Bogaerts probably won’t fetch a major haul-especially not on his own.
One option on the table: packaging him with a prospect to sweeten the deal. That’s a common tactic in situations like this, but it’s worth noting that San Diego’s farm system isn’t exactly overflowing with elite talent right now.
Bottom line: the Padres are in a bind. They’re not moving Tatis, and they don’t want to part with key young pieces. But shedding salary is a priority, and Bogaerts, given his contract and trajectory, is one of the few options that could help them do that-if they’re willing to pay the price to make it happen.
This is the kind of offseason chess match that defines front offices. For Preller and the Padres, the next move will say a lot about how they plan to balance competing now with staying financially flexible down the road.