Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. Makes Announcement on Friday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Dec 12, 2025 1:56 PM ET

The San Diego Padres are heading into 2026 in a period of transition. Former manager Mike Shildt has retired, with Craig Stammen stepping in to lead the club. The roster is expected to undergo significant turnover as payroll flexibility remains tight, and several players are likely to depart via free agency.

Naturally, contenders began inquiring about the availability of right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr., but the Padres’ front office quickly shut down those conversations. It is easy to see why.

Tatis is coming off an outstanding season in San Diego, highlighted by winning the Platinum Glove as the best overall defender in the National League. The 26-year-old also earned his third career All-Star selection in 2025 and finished eighth in NL MVP voting, cementing his status as one of the game’s best two-way talents.

At the plate, Tatis was equally impactful. Across 155 games, he posted a .268 batting average, a .368 on-base percentage, an .814 OPS, 25 home runs and 71 RBIs. His ability to combine elite defense with steady offensive production makes him the focal point of San Diego’s future.

San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23)© Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

As the Padres work to retool the roster around Tatis, the outfielder has momentarily shifted his focus away from baseball to continue building his foundation. The Fernando Tatis Foundation, launched earlier this offseason, provides financial literacy programming and support to young baseball players.

As the foundation grows, Tatis announced that it will host its first major event, the First Annual Beyond the Diamond Gala. “Introducing the FIRST Annual Beyond the Diamond Gala, benefitting the Tatis Foundation. Join us January 30, 2026 in San Diego for a night of purpose, community, and impact,” the post read.

Tatis promoted the event on his Instagram story, underscoring his commitment to making an impact off the field while remaining one of the Padres’ most important figures on it.

Beyond his charitable efforts, Tatis’ on-field journey has been equally impressive. Since making his MLB debut in 2019, he has already established himself as one of the league’s premier talents, despite missing the 2022 season due to injury and suspension. He is a three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger Award winner.

Tatis signed a 14-year, $340 million contract extension in 2021, cementing his status as the face of the franchise. If the Padres’ front office can properly build around him, Tatis has the potential to lead the team back to the postseason in 2026.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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