The San Diego Padres are aiming to bolster their roster this offseason, with hopes of finally surpassing their long-time rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Both teams were reportedly on the wish list of St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado, a prominent trade candidate. While the Dodgers appear hesitant to pursue a deal, the Padres might have the opportunity to swoop in and secure Arenado before their rivals act.
One potential trade scenario involves the Padres receiving Nolan Arenado and $20 million from the Cardinals in exchange for outfielder Tirso Ornelas, San Diego’s No. 18 prospect. Ornelas, who posted an impressive .864 OPS in Triple-A last season, has shown steady improvement in his career and could provide the Cardinals with a promising outfield option for the 2025 season.
While this deal offers a straightforward solution, it does raise questions about its practicality. The Padres’ infield is already crowded with highly paid stars, making it unclear how Arenado would fit into the lineup. However, if San Diego is willing to reshuffle their roster and create space, adding another Gold Glove talent like Arenado could significantly enhance their lineup.
For this trade to become realistic, the Padres might need to offload players such as Luis Arraez, potentially clearing the way for Arenado. While the scenario remains unlikely, it highlights the Padres’ potential to become serious contenders for Arenado if circumstances align.
Leave a Reply