For a team full of players with shortstop experience, it’s a little ironic that the San Diego Padres could be in the market for a new shortstop this offseason. That’s the reality, however, as general manager AJ Preller doesn’t sound interested in moving Fernando Tatis Jr. or Jackson Merrill to the infield.
With shortstop Ha-Seong Kim expected to opt out of the final year of his contract, the Padres have more than enough options to replace him internally. Preller just doesn’t want to mess with what’s worked.
“They’d probably love that possibility,” he told reporters of Tatis and Merrill. “They always joke around — ’Whatever’s needed.’ The great part of those guys is they’re talented athletes, they can play different spots. … But Tati winning the Platinum [Glove] two years ago, and Jackson doing a tremendous job in center field this year, we know that they’re really good at what they do in the outfield.”…