1 player the Padres must trade before spring training

The San Diego Padres they have only one goal in mind: to win their first World Series title. This ball club has had to watch its division rival win back-to-back titles, while the Padres contain a team worthy of winning one.

Led by Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr., the Padres have a deep lineup and position players with an elite defense. Machado is one of the best defensive players in the league at third base, while Tatis Jr. has won back-to-back Platinum Glove awards in right field, showing that he is the best defensive outfielder in baseball right now.

The Padres have a decent pitching rotation, but a dominant bullpen that was one of the best in the league a year ago. Mason Miller, Adrian Morejohn, Jeremiah Estrada, Jason Adam and David Morgan are on pace to repeat their 2025 seasons for an even better season in 2026. The team lost Roberto Suarez in free agency to the Atlanta Braves, but they have plenty of depth and arguably the biggest weapon in the league in Miller.

The Padres are in no position to sell. They are able to get back into the postseason and make a run. Padres general manager AJ Preller is making progress in the offseason. Preler is always making moves, trying to improve the football club with talent. Chances are good that Preller will continue to make moves ahead of spring training, and if not, right before the season starts. If there was one person the Padres could trade, it would be second baseman Jake Cronenworth.

Kronenworth has been a valuable asset to the lineup since arriving in 2020. Kronenvoort was traded along with Tommy Pham from the Tampa Bay Rays to the Padres for Hunter Renfro. Kronenworth turned out to be better, as Pham didn’t last long in San Diego. Kronenvoort was a defensive wizard for the Padres, playing second base, first base and even shortstop. The Michigan product wasn’t the best overall hitter, but he had his moments over the years.

9⃣ days until opening

Back to Jake Kronenvoort sending the Padres to the 2022 NLCS. pic.twitter.com/v5lfvkG8u7

— Al Scott (@AlScott1998) March 18, 2025

The infielder has 80 career home runs, 369 RBIs, 687 hits, a career .247 batting average and a career .741 OPS. The Padres have seen Kronenvoort play well over a long period of time; however, he has struggled to return to the player he was in 2021. Kronenvoort hit .246 with 11 homers and 59 RBIs last season, batting in the bottom of the lineup. He was a 2025 Silver Slugger finalist as a utility player. With his ability to play multiple defensive positions, he contains value. If the Padres were to trade anyone, he would make the most sense.

San Diego could do two things: trade him for rotation or bullpen help. Or the Padres could give him a few prospects and acquire an elite first baseman. San Diego is set in seven of the eight positions on the diamond. They can afford to get rid of Kronenworth if it means they can get more pop in the lineup.

This team struggled to get early results last season. They were one of the worst teams in the league last year when hitting for power. Getting rid of a player who has hit just 28 over the past two seasons could open the door for other opportunities and improvement in that area. Newly added Sung-Mun Song can fill in for Cronenworth at second base, while Gavin Sheets can get extra at-bats at DH or first base if needed, depending on the return package. Song had 20 home runs and an .889 OPS last season in the KBO. Sheets hit 19 homers and had 71 RBIs last season in his first year in San Diego.

It must be noted that the Padres have had very few (if any) rumors about trading Kronenvoort. He is a fan favorite who has played a huge role in the rise of this club. You never know what Preller is up to in San Diego. Nick Pivetta even appeared on his name as a potential trade tool, although the Padres need starting pitching. If Preller finds a great package for Kronenvoort, it could benefit his team as they aim for serious success in 2026.

The Padres will be a team to watch in 2026. With Miller leading the bullpen, Machado, Tatis and Jackson Merrill leading the offense, the Friars have some serious talent to finally win their first World Series.