Shocking Miami Marlins trade idea

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 03: Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres strikes out in the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on October 03, 2021 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brandon Vallance/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 03: Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres strikes out in the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on October 03, 2021 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brandon Vallance/Getty Images)

What if the Miami Marlins made a blockbuster trade this off-season? No, I’m not talking about this idea, I’m talking about this one:

Can it happen? We definitely need an upgrade over Miguel Rojas at SS offensively. Could San Diego Padres superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. be the answer?! It sounds insane but let’s analyze the tweet above. Is it a possibility? Should the Miami Marlins even consider this move? Will the San Diego Padres?

Could Fernando Tatis Jr. become a Miami Marlin?!

Fernando Tatis Jr. is a superstar. In 2019, he batted .317/.379/.590 in 334 AB with 22 HR and 53 RBI. In 2020, he batted .277/.366/.571 with 17 HR and 45 RBI in 224 AB. In 2021, he batted .282/.364/.611 with 42 HR and 97 RBI. According to this:

"Fernando Tatis Jr. signed a 14 year / $340,000,000 contract with the San Diego Padres, including a $10,000,000 signing bonus, $340,000,000 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $24,285,714."

So why would the San Diego Padres even consider trading him?! For one thing he’s been a bit injury-prone. He also seems to be a risk off the field and finally missed all of the 2022 season due to both injury and failing a test for PED’s. Wow right? Then there was this incident a while back. All of that together could be enough for San Diego to decide to move on from him. Do they really want to pay over $300 million to someone with so many issues?

The idea is that the Miami Marlins can then swoop in and get Fernando Tatis Jr. for a bargain price. Is that realistic? Well, there’s quite a few hurdles along the way. Will San Diego want to sell low? Will Bruce Sherman want to pay this amount of money (it’s actually “only” $24 million annually)? Will Tatis be a good addition to our clubhouse? How much of a role did PED’s play in his performance to date?

I do t know how good Fernando Tatis Jr. is going to be off of his PED’s. If he’s back to the same or similar level of talent, then I’m all for acquiring him. If he’s going to be significantly worse, then obviously not. I also worry about his injury history and attitude off the field. At the end of the day, he may not even be available.

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