Padres' Superstar Tatis Jr. Not Available for Trade, for Now

San Diego Padres insider says team's All-Star outfielder is not on the trading block, but with a caveat.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 7:47pm

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San Diego Padres superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. is expected to remain with the team following an offseason filled with speculation. While the Padres are not actively shopping their All-Star outfielder, team insider Kevin Acee noted that the caveat remains 'for now.' Acee explained that the team's stance has been 'for now' for quite some time, citing the Padres' future payroll commitments to Xander Bogaerts and Manny Machado as a potential factor in Tatis' future.

Why it matters

Tatis is one of the best players in baseball, and the Padres have made it clear they want to build around him. However, the team's financial situation and potential ownership changes could impact their long-term plans for the 24-year-old superstar.

The details

Padres general manager A.J. Preller has stated that the team is not actively shopping Tatis and views him as a key part of their future. Preller said that every version of the team's roster has Tatis 'right in the middle as hopefully one of the top players on our team.' However, Acee noted that the 'for now' caveat remains, suggesting the Padres may be open to trading Tatis if their financial or ownership situation changes.

  • In December 2025, Padres GM A.J. Preller said the team is not talking about trading Tatis.

The players

Fernando Tatis Jr.

A 24-year-old superstar outfielder for the San Diego Padres, a two-time Platinum Glove winner who has taken over portions of seasons and games for the team.

A.J. Preller

The general manager of the San Diego Padres, who has stated the team is not actively shopping Tatis and views him as a key part of their future.

Xander Bogaerts

An All-Star shortstop who the Padres recently signed to a big-money contract, making him and Manny Machado 'unmovable' players on the team's payroll.

Manny Machado

An All-Star third baseman who the Padres recently signed to a big-money contract, making him and Xander Bogaerts 'unmovable' players on the team's payroll.

Kevin Acee

A Padres insider who noted that the team's stance on Tatis being 'not available' has come with the caveat of 'for now' for quite some time.

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What they’re saying

“Zero... for now. You noticed that that's been basically the caveat is for now. First off, the team is for sale, whether that happens or not depends on who you ask right now but let's assume it's for sale, we can't say what's going to happen in the future.”

— Kevin Acee, Padres Insider (Foul Territory)

“Tatis is one of the best players in baseball. We believe he's one of the top guys in baseball, a two-time Platinum [Glove] winner. He's a guy that's taken over portions of seasons and games and playoff series. For us to get to where we want to get to, we need Fernando.”

— A.J. Preller, Padres General Manager (Winter Meetings)

“He's somebody that we're not talking about [trading]. However you want to view that -- if you want to say that's untouchable, you can say that.”

— A.J. Preller, Padres General Manager (Winter Meetings)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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