Teams aren't being shy about which players are on its wish lists this holiday season.
The Padres "love" Yankees third baseman Miguel Andujar, according to FanCred's Jon Heyman. San Diego tried acquiring the near-American League Rookie of the Year at the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, and Yankees general manager Brian Cashman wanted no part of it, per SNYtv's Andy Martino. Months later, are the Yankees willing to extend the leash on Andujar amidst a rumor-heavy offseason?
Picking up a third baseman is San Diego's No. 1 priority this winter, according to MLB.com's AJ Cassavell. The Padres released Cory Spangenberg and main 2018 starter Christian Villanueva immigrated to Japan. This calls into question what the Padres will do with All-Star Wil Myers, who's been involved in Mariners' trade rumors, and split time between third base and the left field for San Diego last season.
If New York is interested in dealing Andujar, the Padres have a great deal of impressive prospects to offer the Yankees. Their farm system is headlined by Fernando Tatis Jr., a budding shortstop grabbing national attention who is not budging from San Diego's tight grasp unless a proven Major League talent is offered in exchange, per Cassavell.
Tatis turns 20 in January, and he batted .286/.355/.507 with 16 homers and 16 steals over 88 games this past season in Double-A. It's worth nothing that even Mets' flamethrower Noah Syndergaard is below the Padres' asking price for Tatis, as Martino reported back in November.
But if the Padres love Andujar as deeply as they claim to, San Diego may be willing to part ways with Tatis for the right offer. The Padres have already shown interest in Yankees' trade chip Sonny Gray. And New York may need backup after CC Sabathia underwent an offseason heart procedure, though he expects to recover in full by spring training. Acquiring another starter would add a safety net to New York's rotation.
San Diego may be lacking in that department, but the Padres' interest in a handful of players including J.T. Realmuto and Corey Kluber has potential to spark a three-team trade with the Yankees for Andujar.