BRONX, NY — Call me insane or with the fantasy of being a Major League Baseball GM, but a buzz last week about Fernando Tatis Jr. traded to the Yankees? I will attempt to not play fantasy baseball here.
The Yankees need to pursue and put the Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr. in Yankees pinstripes. Yes, the contract is complicated and at the same time, the Yankees payroll structure has been questioned.
Owner Hal Steinbrenner said last week his team lost revenue which is difficult to comprehend as over 3,392,659 fans passed through gates in the Bronx, an AL-best from 2025—averaging 42,408 in 81 home games.
The Yankees averaged an AL-best for 2025 with 42,408 fans attending per home game at Yankee Stadium – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
And the Yankees drew at least three million fans for their Major League record of 25 straight seasons which leads to more questions about a reported loss in revenue. Then again, MLB owners are not rushing to open up their books and reveal everything about their profits or losses.
Seriously, though, Tatis in pinstripes changes the complexion of a Yankees lineup regardless of the Bronx Bombers hitting a MLB leading 274 home runs and league-leading 849 runs in 2025.
A former NL LatinoMVP in Fernando Tatis Jr. in Yankee pinstripes would make for must-watch television – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
So there are questions about a revenue loss, even with all the MLB televised streaming profit, merchandise sales, and parking receipts that are evenly divided.
But this is about the 26-year old Dominican sensation in Tatis, the Padres looking to shed salary, and a right-handed hitter the Yankees need from that side of the plate. Need I add, the San Pedro de Macoris, D.R. native is an All-Star infielder and outfielder and run preventer.
His 2025 numbers: .268 batting average, 25 home runs, 71 RBI, 111 runs scored, and 32 stolen bases with an .814 OPS. The Padres, though have reportedly said Tatis is not on their trading block, then again, that’s the talk and this time of year. There is always room to fantasize and be the GM.
Fernando Tatis Jr. recorded an OPS of .814 with 25 home runs with 71 RBI in 2025 – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
All 30 of those executives will huddle in suites next Monday in Orlando, Florida at the annual Winter Meetings where free agents sign contracts, a venue of wheeling and dealing. Will the name Fernando Tatis Jr. be a topic of trade talk? Perhaps, that being said in baseball you never know.
And the specifics of Tatis’ contract—14 years of $340 million and a no-trade clause. The Yankees would have to inherit the remainder of the contract and recall in the 2017 Winter Meetings, the shock waves from a Giancarlo Stanton trade to New York, who had a hefty contract of 13-years/$325 million with the Marlins. The Yankees took on most of that salary.
The Yankees sent shock waves across the industry during the 2017 Winter Meetings by acquiring Giancarlo Stanton in a trade with the Marlins – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
So here was that buzz though in a matter of days the Tatis rumors were quickly dismissed. Regardless, San Diego’s asking price would be too high, as the Yankees have been adamant about sticking with rookie prospects including outfielder Spencer Jones, and infielder George Lombard. Also right-handed pitchers Carlos Lagrange, Elmer Rodríguez and Bryce Cunningham.
With that asking price being a boat-load, especially for the Yankees who are high on Jones, though with a high proficiency of striking out, Lombard could also be a plan if the Yankees down the line give up on the error-plagued glove of shortstop Anthony Volpe.
Still in the balance, the Yankees pending free agent offer and return of Cody Bellinger or make a play for 28-year old outfielder Kyle Tucker.
Cody Bellinger will have plenty of teams bidding for his services this offseason as the outfielder hit 29 home runs as a Yankee in 2025 – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
Tatis, from this prospective would be an instant fan favorite, they, too, were buzzing with the talk. Tatis at one point this season at Citi Field when I asked about New York said, “Who would not want to play at Yankee Stadium?”
Take that as you want.
Every player will say that, the Yankees franchise and stadium is baseball and Tatis would drive a ball to the gap, out of the ballpark, adds speed, depth to the lineup, solid outfield and infield defense. So, me too, I was enthused as an outside observer who thrives at the possible scenarios for teams during hot stove talk.
A lineup in the Bronx headlined by Fernando Tatis Jr. and Aaron Judge would make for one of the dangerous in baseball – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
I asked a high ranking executive, he too said the Padres will not entertain offers or trade Tatis, basically putting an end to the conversation and claiming Tatis along with Manny Machado are the franchise players.
But it still leaves room to fantasize a Yankees lineup that would insert the name of Fernando Tatis Jr. and hit behind or ahead of Aaron Judge. The Yankees need this type of offensive spark and a run preventer on the field.
According to several reports, the Padres are not expected to trade Fernando Tatis Jr. this offseason – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
Fernando Tatis Jr. for sure would look good in Yankees pinstripes. Fine, it’s nice to be a fantasy GM and it’s nice to know a high profiled player can create this type of buzz.
And it’s also nice to know the Yankees have a history of doing the unexpected.
Rich Mancuso is a senior writer and columnist at LatinoSports.com – X: @Ring786, Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso
Follow us on Social Media for updates and exclusive content
Instagram: @latinosportsoficial
Facebook: Latino Sports
Twitter: @latinosports
