Fernando Tatis, Jr. Has Two Strikes Against Him in San Diego

Shortly before the San Diego Padres took the field in Washington, D.C. to play the Nationals last night, MLB announced that Padres shortstop and outfielder Fernando Tatis, Jr. had been suspended for 80 games for testing positive for PEDs. 

The suspension would run through the post-season and for up to 32 games in the 2023 MLB season. Tatis, Jr., 23, is also ineligible to play for the Dominican Republic in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. 

This is a significant fall from grace for Tatis, Jr., who in 2021 led the NL in HRs with 42 and finished third in NL MVP balloting. Tatis, Jr. has not played at all in 2022 due to a broken wrist sustained in an off-season motorcycle accident. It would appear there were multiple motorcycle accidents. 

Tatis, Jr. had been due to be activated sometime this month. His return had been highly anticipated as he would reunite with Manny Machado as well as Juan Soto and Josh Bell who were acquired from the Nationals earlier this month in arguably MLB's most formidable lineup. The Padres faded down the stretch last year and missed the post-season after earning a NL Wild Card berth in 2020. Presently, the Padres have the third NL Wild Card berth.

The Padres have Tatis, Jr. under contract to the tune of $340 million through 2034. However, Padres GM A.J. Preller was less than impressed and openly questioned his maturity and whether the organization could trust Tatis, Jr. 

From where I sit, Tatis, Jr. now has two strikes against him in San Diego. One more mistake and he is gone. Such a scenario would have been inconceivable a year ago. Tatis, Jr's stay in San Diego will depend both on his own behavior and how the Padres perform. If the Padres miss the post-season yet again this year then Tatis, Jr. might be given a longer leash. But if the Padres win the franchise's first World Series or win their first NL pennant in 24 years (before Tatis, Jr. was born) then I think the organization might try to move him if they can without him. Despite his behavioral problems, there will be teams prepared to take on Tatis, Jr's contract with the Padres getting top prospects in return. 

While Tatis, Jr. does have two strikes against him, there is always the chance that he will take the time to reflect and see this a wake up call, work his way back into the Padres favor and redeem himself. Fernando Tatis, Jr. will get at least one more chance at the plate.