Ever since rumors of the Seidler family initiating the process of a franchise sale were reported, it's felt like the San Diego Padres would have to cut some type of long-term money from the books.
Because Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts (both 33 years old) are too old and expensive, and because Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill are too young and important to the future of the team, there's been an implicit understanding among Friars fans that Jake Cronenworth is sort of the odd-man out.
Though he hasn't quite recaptured the heights of his breakout 2021 campaign, Cronenworth has been a rock-solid contributor on the right side of the Padres' infield for the last half-decade.