The San Diego Padres need to turn another October disappointment into a more productive offseason. Trading Jake Cronenworth should be part of that plan, provided they use the move to improve the roster instead of simply lowering payroll.

The Milwaukee Brewers eliminated the Padres in four games, clinching the National League Division Series with a 3-1 victory at Petco Park.

Cronenworth helped extend the series with his decisive Game 3 home run. That contribution deserves recognition. It should not prevent the front office from examining whether his remaining contract fits the team’s needs.

The case for moving him rests on declining offensive production, four more years of salary commitments and the opportunity to change the lineup without dismantling its core.

A workable trade would require compromise. San Diego should pursue one with a clear replacement plan and realistic expectations about the return.

Jake Cronenworth’s production makes his contract harder to justify

Cronenworth finished the regular season with a .225 average, seven home runs, 41 RBIs and a .629 OPS across 109 games. His .308 on-base percentage and .321 slugging percentage limited his offensive impact.

That represented a substantial decline from 2025, when he posted a .367 on-base percentage and .744 OPS. The Padres cannot confidently budget for a rebound without considering the consequences if it never arrives.

His injury absence matters. Concussion symptoms sent him to the injured list in May, and he returned in late June. Evaluating his season fairly requires acknowledging that interruption.

Still, the Padres must make decisions based on future value. Cronenworth turns 33 before next season, and his contract calls for $12 million annually from 2027 through 2030. Those four seasons carry $48 million in base salary.

His ability to cover multiple infield positions remains useful. A club that believes his offense can recover could find value in that versatility, particularly if San Diego pays part of the remaining money.

That is the realistic path to a deal. The Padres should prioritize a better allocation of resources over the appearance of winning a trade through an impressive prospect return.

Padres must pair a Cronenworth trade with an actual upgrade

Moving Cronenworth only works if the Padres address the vacancy he leaves. Sung-Mun Song offers an internal option, but his .191 average and .535 OPS in 2026 do not establish him as an offensive upgrade.

San Diego should therefore seek an affordable second baseman through free agency or another trade while keeping Song available for competition and depth. Simply handing over the position would exchange one uncertainty for another.

Article Continues Below

The financial calculation must include that replacement, any retained salary and any money coming back in the transaction. Cronenworth’s limited no-trade clause also means the Padres cannot treat every potential destination as available.

An exchange involving another team’s unwanted contract could make sense if it brings a pitcher who better fits the roster. The Padres should judge that possibility on health, projected production and the actual financial difference.

They should also resist attaching premium young talent merely to escape the deal. That would risk weakening their future without creating enough immediate improvement.

Cronenworth’s Game 3 homer showed he can still deliver a meaningful moment. Building the next roster, however, requires weighing what he can provide over an entire season and beyond.

Keeping familiar players should never take priority over building a more complete team.

The Padres should turn a Cronenworth trade into better production at second base and more flexibility to address other needs. San Diego cannot afford to move him without a plan, but four more years of his contract should not dictate the lineup. Building a stronger contender requires making that difficult decision now.