Fernando Tatis Jr Next Team Odds: Padres Leading the Field

Fernando Tatis Jr. is a great player – when he’s playing. But an off-field wrist injury and a PED suspension kept Tatis off the diamond for the entire 2022 season. 

Tatis has played just three seasons of MLB ball. He’s finished top 5 in NL MVP voting twice and was a Silver Slugger Award winner twice, as well. 

But Tatis’ absence greatly hurt a Padres team that was going all-in for 2022. He was injured riding a motorcycle, an act prohibited in his massive contract, then was suspended 82 games for using performance-enhancing drugs. Tatis’ general lack of maturity was called out by teammates and pundits alike. 

Then this offseason, San Diego made a big splash by signing four-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger winner Xander Bogaerts. Both players are predominately shortstops. 

If Tatis is available, teams of all shapes and sizes will be interested in adding a potential franchise guy to their infield. 

Bookies.com oddsmaker Adam Thompson has revealed his for Tatis' team for the 2023 season: 

Fernando Tatis Jr. 2023 Team Odds

This hypothetical market is for entertainment purposes only and does not reflect any market that may be available on betting sites and .

Certainly, one of the Padres’ All-Star shortstops could be moved. Tatis is signed through 2034 at a total cost of $337 million, Bogaerts through 2033 at $280 million. Manny Machado, the 3B, is inked for the next six seasons at $30 million annually. 

The Padres have said they plan on keeping both players, and Yankees insiders quipped that Tatis isn’t even on their radar as a possible addition. That said, we’ve seen a lot of “never” over the years that eventually become reality.

If the Padres decide to move him, where could he go? While the Dodgers could use a shortstop, there is zero chance San Diego makes any move with its top rival. He’s unlikely to go to an NL contender such as the Braves, who are in need of a SS with Dansby Swanson signing a huge deal with the Cubs on Saturday.

The Red Sox have pieces to sell, money to spend and now a massive hole at SS after losing Bogaerts. Boston checks all the boxes to at least inquire about Tatis. A Sox signing would also ensure the Yankees don’t get their hands on him. New York can always afford a new weapon and the left side of the infield has more questions than the rest of their roster. 

The Angels might be the most intriguing landing spot. San Diego reportedly really wants to make a push to land Shohei Ohtani when the L.A. superstar becomes a free agent after 2023. But if they can negotiate a new long-term deal, a sign-and-trade involving Tatis might be a best-case scenario for the Angels.