Should the Mets Make a Play for Fernando Tatis Jr.? What It Could Cost

The Case For It

Impact & Star Power
Fernando Tatis Jr. is one of the most dynamic players in baseball. He combines five‑tool talent — hitting, power, speed, defense, and arm strength — with a flair that can electrify a franchise. Acquiring him could transform the Mets’ lineup, giving them a middle-of-the-order bat with superstar upside.

Long-Term Control
Tatis signed a 14-year, $340 million contract with San Diego. According to Spotrac, that deal runs through the 2034 season. That means a team acquiring him wouldn’t just be buying a few years of production — they’d be locking in a cornerstone talent for the long haul.

High Trade Value
From a value perspective, Tatis remains extremely valuable. FanGraphs’ 2025 trade‑value rankings place him at #15, noting his combination of performance, long-term control, and upside. Given that, the Mets could see this as a premium buy-in to chase a true star rather than piecing together incremental upgrades.

The Costs & Challenges

Contract Complexity
Tatis’ contract isn’t cheap. Per his contract breakdown, his salary steps up significantly: $20 million in 2025–26, $25 million in 2027–28, and $36 million annually from 2029 through 2034. Any team acquiring him would have to seriously account for that long-term payroll commitment.

No-Trade Protections
When he signed his deal, Tatis secured a full no-trade clause through 2028, per reports. That means any trade would require his full cooperation — and willingness to waive or use his clause, which is a major hurdle.

Padres’ Stance
Recent reporting suggests the Padres are not trading him. According to insider sources, there have been “no internal discussions” about moving Tatis. That makes a deal less likely, unless the Padres’ thinking changes dramatically.

Organizational Risk
Even if a trade were possible, the Mets would need to part with premier pieces. Their farm system has several high-upside prospects:

Brandon Sproat — their top pitching prospect.
Jett Williams, a versatile infielder/outfielder with speed and bat-patience.
Ryan Clifford, a power-hitting corner bat.

Giving up any two or more of those players would be a steep price, but probably necessary to land someone as valuable as Tatis.

A Hypothetical Mets‑Padres Trade Package

Here is a realistic but aggressive trade package that the Mets might offer — assuming the Padres are open to dealing Tatis (which, as noted, is not guaranteed): Asset Role / Why Padres Might Want Him Brandon Sproat (RHP) Top pitching prospect with mid-rotation starter potential. Jett Williams (SS/OF) High-ceiling, athletic, plus plate discipline — a future impact bat. Ryan Clifford (1B/OF) Power hitter, a corner bat who could contribute in a few years. Luisangel Acuña (IF/OF) Speed, versatility, and long-term upside.

This package balances pitching + position depth, giving the Padres a mix of potential near-MLB contributors and long-term building blocks. But again — it’s a hefty price.

Risks for the Mets

Long-term financial burden: Committing to Tatis for what could be a decade-plus of his prime could limit flexibility.
Prospect depletion: Trading away Sproat, Williams, or Clifford could weaken the Mets’ future pipeline.
Health / consistency concerns: Tatis has had injury issues in the past, and the Mets would be banking on him staying healthy.
Waiver of no-trade rights: Tatis might simply choose not to waive his no-trade clause.

Reward Scenarios

If the Mets do pull it off, the payoff could be massive:

A franchise cornerstone for years — someone who can be the face of the team.
Increased marketability: Tatis brings star power that could energize the fan base.
Competitive leap: Pairing Tatis with the Mets’ existing young core could make them instant contenders.

Conclusion: Should the Mets Do It?

Short answer: It’s a high-risk, high-reward move.

Yes, the Mets should at least explore it aggressively. The upside of adding a generational talent like Tatis is too significant to ignore — especially given his long-term contract and potential to be a central piece.
But, they need to be very careful about what they give up and how they structure the deal. They should not mortgage their future, and they’ll need to make sure they’re comfortable with the financial load and the chance that Tatis might decline a trade.

Mets Junkies