Before the San Diego Padres dealt outfielder Juan Soto to the New York Yankees, they apparently talked to the Toronto Blue Jays about a reported deal involving versatile infielder Jake Cronenworth.
Per Ken Rosenthal of 'The Athletic.'
The Padres discussed infielder Jake Cronenworth with the Blue Jays and other clubs before sending outfielders Juan Soto and Trent Grisham to the Yankees. A trade of Cronenworth now appears less likely, in part because the Padres do not want to subtract a third left-handed hitter.
Cronenworth, who turns 30 next month, signed a seven-year, $80 million extension last April. The deal included a $2 million signing bonus, but the rest of the money has yet to be paid. Cronenworth is guaranteed $7 million in 2024, $11 million in ’25 and $12 million each season from ’26 to ’30.
First off, the Padres could have been interested in shedding the salary of Cronenworth. They are reportedly interested in getting below a $200 million payroll and this could have helped achieve that. With the trade of Soto and the eventual departures of Josh Hader, Blake Snell, Nick Martinez and Michael Wacha in free agency, the team has already done a good job shedding salary, so maybe trading Cronenworth is less necessary as Rosenthal indicates.
From the Blue Jays perspective, the deal would have made sense too. Financially, they can afford it, as evidenced by their willingness to push for Shohei Ohtani. Also, the team desperately needs a left-handed bat considering they've lost Kevin Kiermaier and Brandon Belt in free agency.
Finally, Cronenworth can play any of the infield positions, which would help replace the versatility that Whit Merrifield provided. Merrifield is also a free agent.
Cronenworth is a lifetime .249 hitter with 52 homers. His best year was 2022 when he had 88 RBI.
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