Can the San Diego Padres get Fernando Tatis Jr. to return to his MVP form? New manager Craig Stammen seems to think he can help. 

At times during the 2025 season, Fernando Tatis Jr. simply looked as though he was going through the motions on the field.

We saw glimpses of the superiority, but for the most part, Tatis was stoic and withdrawn with his emotions.

For the first time, Tatis played in over 150 games (155 total) and made it through the season with minimal reported health issues. He was plunked by a pitch early in the season that took a toll on his forearm and led to a minor struggle at the plate, but Tatis played through the pain.

Getting a full season from Tatis was wonderful, but he seemed to struggle with the mental aspect of the enduring sport.

Ballplayers are human. They have lives off the field. Feranndo Tatis Jr. is entitled to his privacy, but the weight of life seemed to really affect him in 2025 for long stretches. At the age of 26, we are only seeing a glimpse of what he is capable of doing on the baseball diamond.

This winter, with ownership issues and reported financial difficulties, his name has “surfaced” as a trade chip. This is all speculation at this point. There is no way the San Diego Padres should trade Tatis and his team-friendly contract. Sure, you’d expect more from Tatis in terms of production, but most feel we have yet to see the total upside of Fernando Tatis Jr.

Newly named manager Craig Stammen is very familiar with Tatis, as the two played together for four seasons. He is well aware of the upside of Tatis, and one of his goals is to unlock the right-handed hitter.

“Having seen him (Tatis) at his best, I think that allows me to hopefully push him to be at his best… to be the MVP-caliber player that we all think he can be,” Stammen said to Buster Olney in a recent ESPN Podcast. He spoke about not allowing Tatis to go through the motions and trying to find a motivational factor for the slugger.

“Our relationship goes beyond baseball.”

New @Padres Manager Craig Stammen on how playing with Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. puts him ahead. @Buster_ESPN https://t.co/RJmDFIAYxQ pic.twitter.com/l018KwKDHx

— ESPN Podcasts (@espnpodcasts) November 20, 2025

Stammen will be a player’s manager. He communicates well, and most of the Padres’ veterans view him as an equal. In time, we will see what his managerial style looks like, but early on, his goals will remain internal and producing a cohesive unit.

Fernando Tatis Jr. may be the key to the Padres. He can carry a team.

Defensively, he is a two-time Platinum Glove Award winner. With the bat, we see his tremendous abilities in stretches. But the Dominican superstar has yet to fully reach the consistency level the Padres covet from him. A more focused Tatis may reach his pinnacle this coming season.

Craig Stammen is a surprise pick to manage the Padres. But, are we really surprised? A.J. Preller has never conventionally done things.

Stammen will help mentor Tatis. If the Padres can get a hitting coach whom the players can trust, the sky is the limit in 2026.

James Clark

James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. James has written about the Padres and their prospects for over a decade. He also writes about San Diego State as well as other local sports. James is the Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.