ORLANDO — Count on the commerce rumors surrounding San Diego Padres infielder Jake Cronenworth to warmth up because the MLB winter conferences get began this week right here in Orlando.
As USA As we speak MLB insider Bob Nightengale identified on Sunday, the Padres “have aggressively shopped infielder Jake Cronenworth” within the hopes of slicing payroll that may then be put again into the group on the mound. San Diego enters this offseason as considered one of quite a few groups which might be on the lookout for assist in the rotation, and Cronenworth is within the midst of a seven-year, $80 million deal that runs by 2030.
If the Padres do resolve to commerce the 31-year-old Cronenworth someday this offseason, listed below are three potential touchdown spots (listed in alphabetical order) that make sense.
Enjoying in considered one of MLB’s most offense-friendly stadiums (Nice American Ball Park), Cincinnati was nineteenth in OPS final season. Whereas the Reds nonetheless made the postseason, there have been loads of holes on the roster the place enhancements will be made this offseason.
Cincinnati wants bats and assist in the infield (the place the Reds had been woeful offensively exterior of shortstop Elly De La Cruz), so Cronenworth could possibly be a strong match because the Reds look to problem once more within the Nationwide League Central.
Sure, this could require the Pirates to spend some cash, however Pittsburgh wants some infield assist if it will increase its lineup in 2026. Shortstop is the one infield place in 2025 the place the Pirates completed within the constructive in Wins Above Common, and that was simply at 0.3. Cronenworth would slot in effectively in Pittsburgh if the Pirates are keen to tackle the contract in trade for his versatility and offensive potentialities.
The Mariners had been agonizingly shut to creating the World Sequence final yr, and Cronenworth may make a right away affect at second base if he lands in Seattle. Final season, Seattle was seventeenth amongst MLB’s 30 groups in Wins Above Common at second base at minus-0.4.
With key items of the 2025 Mariners late-season lineup nonetheless in limbo, together with Jorge Polanco and Eugenio Suarez, Seattle is trying so as to add a bat to its lineup. Cronenworth could possibly be an choice for that veteran bat.
