"We saw that with Jackson Merrill, Manny Machado" - Padres GM believes in players' adaptability, but sees Fernando Tatis Jr.'s future in outfield
The San Diego Padres have a shortstop problem. After signing Xander Bogaerts, the team shifted Fernando Tatis Jr. to the outfield following Juan Soto’s trade to the New York Yankees. Bogaerts subsequently moved to second base, leaving the shortstop position vacant.
NL Rookie of the Year finalist Jackson Merrill was initially a shortstop prospect, but the Padres’ coaching staff determined he would be better suited to the outfield. Ha-Seong Kim filled the shortstop role in 2024, but a labrum injury ended his season prematurely. Kim is expected to return in the first half of 2025, though the Padres would need to re-sign him as he has entered free agency.
With the issue looming this offseason, Padres general manager A.J. Preller addressed whether the team is considering moving Tatis Jr. back to shortstop during the MLB GM Winter Meetings in Dallas.
"He's always open to all different possibilities," Preller said (4:10 onwards). "Philosophically, we often talk about getting athletes, two-way players, and guys who can play multiple positions."
"Players who have played shortstop, for example, usually have the ability to move all over the field. We've seen that with Merrill, Profar and our entire infield — Machado, Bogaerts, Cronenworth and Kim."
However, Preller said that for now, the team is not considering moving Tatis Jr. back to the infield.
"Tatis has the ability to do a lot of things on the field, but ultimately, he's a Platinum Glove outfielder, and that's probably where he'll stay for a while," the GM said.
MLB analyst shares two cents on Padres' issues at shortstop position
The Padres face uncertainty regarding who will play shortstop in 2025. Re-signing Kim remains an option, but his availability is unclear, even though he is expected to return in the first half of the season.
Moreover, the market for established free agents at the position is thin. MLB analyst Anthony Franco shared his thoughts on the Padres’ predicament.
"The Padres find themselves in an unfamiliar position. San Diego could be on the lookout for a shortstop despite their affinity for collecting players with experience at the position. Most of those players moved off shortstop," Franco wrote.
"Ha-Seong Kim will be a free agent when he declines his end of a mutual option in favor of a $2 million buyout. Kim is among the most difficult free agents to project after his season was cut short by a labrum injury that required surgery."
Preller has already ruled out moving Tatis Jr. back to the infield, citing his stellar defense in the outfield. Willy Adames was an option but he's been recently signed by the San Francisco Giants.
The Padres could explore free agents such as Nick Ahmed, Paul DeJong or Jose Iglesias to address the shortstop vacancy this offseason.