Could the Miami Marlins pull off a shocking trade?

The Miami Marlins are busy talking trades, and ironically my suggestion involves a team that proved to not be as big market as they'd like to be. The San Diego Padres are looking to significantly cut costs and already made a blockbuster cost-cutting move. Could they be willing to make another one? Could they trade RF Fernando Tatis Jr.?! Will Bruce Sherman be willing to make this move?

The Miami Marlins might be able to trade for San Diego's Fernando Tatis Jr.

Could the cost-cutting San Diego Padres be willing to trade their talented but controversial superstar? Fernando Tatis Jr. emerged as a top prospect for San Diego, and made an impressive debut in 2019. That season, he batted .317/.379/.590, with 22 home runs and 53 RBI in 84 games and 334 AB. He was worth 4.2 WAR for that season. Unfortunately for Tatis, his season ended early as he injured his back in August.

In the shortened 2020 season, Fernando Tatis Jr. batted .277/.366/.571, with 17 home runs and 45 RBI, in 59 games and 224 AB. Tatis received a 14 year/$340 million extension from San Diego before the 2021 season even began. In 2021, he batted .282/.364/.611 with 42 home runs and 97 RBI, in 130 games and 478 AB. He once again had injury issues, this time with his left shoulder.

Tatis got in a motorcycle accident before the 2022 season, and then was suspended for using an anabolic steroid. He ended up missing the entire season. Tatis returned in 2023 and batted .257/.322/.449. He had 25 home runs and 78 RBI, in 141 games and 575 AB. He's owed $20.7 million for each of the 2025 and 2026 seasons. He's owed $25.7 million for each of the 2027 and 2028 seasons. He's then owed $36.7 million per season from 2029 to 2034.

Let's get something out of the way, it's unlikely that the Miami Marlins will take on a contract such as this. There's precedent to this, but it was under a different owner and the contract was quickly traded. There's also no guarantee that San Diego even wants to sell low on Tatis. You do have to wonder though, could San Diego move on from the problematic player? Could The Fish gamble on the talent?