Padres Named Potential Landing Spot For Yankees Infielder

The San Diego Padres main priority this offseason should be addressing the starting pitching depth. 

Having guys such as Lucas Giolito, German Marquez, Griffin Canning and JP Sears start games during the season won't help them compete for a World Series. 

On the other hand, guys such as Walker Buehler exceeded expectations, and the return of Nick Pivetta was a big boost in the postseason. 

So, while that is an area to address, the Padres also need another bat or two. Infielder Jake Cronenworth has seemed to wear out his welcome in San Diego, and his hitting has taken a major hit (no pun intended) over the past couple of seasons. 

Cronenworth was named a trade candidate last offseason, and he should once again be in that category this time around. That means San Diego needs a new second baseman. 

Maybe Fernando Tatis Jr. moves from the outfield to second base, but CBS Sports insider Mike Axisa has another idea: New York Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. 

Chisholm was at No. 6 on the free agent list by CBS Sports, and they also named the Los Angeles Angels and Detroit Tigers as potential fits alongside the Padres. 

Chisholm hit just .231, although he had 19 home runs with 55 RBI and 41 stolen bases, so he can provide baserunning. 

He began his career with the Miami Marlins before being traded to the Yankees in 2024, and he could be on the move once again in a trade. 

Cronenworth hit ,225 with 7 home runs and 41 RBI, and although he plays multiple positions, Chisholm can also play other spots besides second base. 

Chisholm is a free agent, so it remains to be seen what teams offer him, but the Padres could give him a prove-it deal to see if he can turn it around in San Diego or not. 

Axisa says Chisholm could be a 6 or 7 hitter next season. And, for some comparison, Cronenworth was in the No. 8 spot in the lineup pretty often this season for Craig Stammen. 

The issue is that Jim Bowden projected a larger deal for Chisholm, although the former MLB GM says it would include an opt-out, giving both sides some security and not essentially tying them to each other for the foreseeable future. 

It's an interesting idea for the Padres, although this isn't the splashy, over-the-top move fans might be thinking about.