Like USA Today MLB insider Bob Nightengale pointed out On Sunday, the Padres “aggressively shopped infielder Jake Cronenworth” in hopes of a payroll cut, which can then be put back into the team on the mound. San Diego enters this offseason as one of several teams looking for rotation help, and Cronenworth is in the middle of a seven-year, $80 million deal that runs through 2030.
If the Padres decide to trade the 31-year-old Cronenworth sometime this offseason, here are three potential landing spots (listed in alphabetical order) that make sense.
Cincinnati played in one of the MLB’s most offensive-friendly stadiums (Great American Ball Park) and ranked 19th in OPS last season. While the Reds still made the postseason, there were plenty of holes on the roster where improvements could be made this offseason.
Cincinnati needs bats and help in the infield (where the Reds have been woeful offensively outside of shortstop Elly De La Cruz), so Cronenworth could be a good fit if the Reds want to challenge again in the National League Central.
Yes, this would require the Pirates to spend some money, but Pittsburgh will need some infield help if it wants to shore up its lineup in 2026. Shortstop is the only infield position in 2025 where the Pirates finished on a positive note in wins above averageand that was only 0.3. Cronenworth would be a good fit in Pittsburgh if the Pirates are willing to take on the contract in exchange for his versatility and offensive capabilities.
The Mariners came agonizingly close to making the World Series last year, and Cronenworth could make an immediate impact at second base if he lands in Seattle. Last season, Seattle was 17th out of 30 MLB teams in Wins Above Average at second base with minus-0.4.
With key parts of the Mariners’ 2025 lineup still in limbo, including Jorge Polanco and Eugenio Suarez, Seattle is looking to add a bat to its lineup. Cronenworth could be an option for that veteran bat.
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