Former Padres prospect and most recently Los Angeles Dodger Trea Turner is getting a lot of attention as one of the key shortstops on the market. Many teams, including our San Diego Padres are interested in at least eyeing what Turner is seeking in the free agency market. However, with an already bolstered infield that will soon hopefully see the return of Fernando Tatis Jr, why would the Padres want to meet with Turner at all, let alone twice?
Credit to FanSided for this image.
The worst part about a slow and steady offseason is the rumors that swirl around your team. The trending names and potential lineups on Twitter that make you go on MLB The Show to envision your team with that star caliber player.
Ken Rosenthal from The Athletic has reported that the team has met with Turner twice now ahead of Winter Meetings but not in San Diego. There are already rumbling rumors that the Padres are expressing interested in shortstop Xander Bogards as recently traded for Juan Soto has tried to recruit him to the team. Could a potential reunion in Soto and Turner occur instead?
Look, I love Trea Turner and the way he plays the game. Speed, power, a pure hitter that you can always place at the top of the lineup. But the San Diego Padres have two shortstops in Fernando Tatis Jr. (Earliest return date April 20, 2023) and Ha-Seong Kim who has been an absolute defensive savior. You can even argue a $300 million player named Manny Machado as he can be placed there whenever needed to go back to his original roots.
Signing Turner would no doubt be more expensive than Bogarts. To me, this would not even fulfill the team and its needs this offseason at all. It would not be considered a “waste” of money due to the talent that Turner brings, but it would be money going in the wrong direction; no matter how much Seidler is willing to spend. Bogarts is rumored to make just under the $200 million threshold, and as for Turner, he could be getting close to that $300 million mark.
The Padres do not need speed or a leadoff hitter. They will be getting that alone with Tatis Jr. coming back and fingers crossed he stays on the field and out of trouble. The team needs to be more aggressive on the base paths like they were in 2020 and early 2021 with stealing bases and getting in scoring position.
Instead of trying to eye a shortstop with one coming back and with another making his case as a defensive wizard, the team should be aggressive on starting pitching (whether that is the back end of the rotation or even another star that can fill in the top). In addition, making sure first base, the outfield and designated hitter slots are filled with no concerns come 2023.
Credit to Seattle Sports for this image.
Rumors surrounding the Padres interest in Turner has the community wondering if Jake Cronenworth will be dealt as Turner could play second, short or outfield. My short answer to this: Don't.
Cronenworth had a down year, however, who had the go ahead hit in Game 4 of the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers to put the Padres in the NLCS? Cronenworth. Look, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Cronenworth is too valuable on this squad and is better to just keep the 2x All-Star who has team control through 2026 where he will be 32 by then.
This will be discussed more on the new episode this weekend on the podcast, so keep an eye out for that on the Twitter page: https://twitter.com/GrandSlamPadres.
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