SHOCKING UPDATE: Padres and Manager Mike Shildt Shocking Exclude Third Baseman Manny Machado From Current Roster Review Due To….

At Padres Fan Fest, manager Mike Shildt explained his plans for the shortstop position. Shildt informed reporters, including Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune, that Xander Bogaerts would be the starting shortstop.
The move isn’t shocking. Bogaerts moved to second base in 2024 to provide the finest infield defence on the field. With Ha-Seong Kim signing with the Tampa Bay Rays earlier this week, the Padres’ high-priced infielder will resume his old position.

San Diego is well aware of what their lineup will be like without Kim, who will miss the 2024 postseason due to shoulder surgery. With Kim on the shelf, Bogaerts returned to shortstop, while Jake Cronenworth moved from first to second. The Padres will most likely use the same double play combination in 2025. Cronenworth has largely played first base for the previous two seasons, but he is a middle infielder by trade.

Assuming no additional changes are made, Manny Machado will return to third base and Luis Arraez to first base. It’s possible that San Diego will sign a first baseman, promoting Arraez to a full-time designated hitter job, but this appears improbable. The hope is that with more time to prepare, he will be better able to handle the position move. The Padres are looking for a place to slot the three-time batting champion into their lineup.

Utility infielders Tyler Wade and Eguy Rosario are also on the 40-man roster. Wade is a left-handed swinging option, and Rosario bats right-handed, providing some infield coverage. They signed Mike Brosseau, a corner infielder, on a minor league contract last month and will battle for a roster place.