A manager’s firing rarely causes a league-wide ripple effect. Still, when the manager is Fernando Tatis Sr. and his son is a global superstar, the aftershocks can create a power vacuum – one that a rival team is now looking to fill. Fernando Tatis Jr. was supposed to play Winter Ball with the Estrellas Orientales. But he has pulled out after his father’s firing, and everything is falling apart.

According to AlBat, another team is eyeing Fernando Tatis Sr. along with Fernando Tatis Jr.

“This move has sparked a whirlwind of speculation about his future and that of his son, Fernando Tatis Jr., in LIDOM,” said reporter Adda E. Lavalle Lara.

“The Leones del Escogido are interested in hiring Tatis Sr. as their new manager… rumors are swirling that Tatis Jr. might follow in his father’s footsteps.”

The Estrellas Orientales fired Fernando Tatis Sr. after his public comments about his players, including their lack of commitment and poor attitude. The club wasted no time in replacing him with bench coach Carlos Paulino as the interim. That decision triggered a strong reaction from Fernando Tatis Jr.

Tatis Jr. responded by refusing to play for Estrellas Orientales again, citing a “lack of respect” toward his father.

He said that the choice was personal, not about play or contract. It was about showing loyalty to his family over club affiliation. The Dominican baseball community quickly felt the impact.

A star player choosing principle over tradition stirred deep emotion among fans.

Now rumors suggest Leones del Escogido may hire Fernando Tatis Sr. as their new manager. If that happens, it might open the door for Tatis Jr. to join them too, continuing his winter-league career under his father’s guidance.

In 48 foreign league games, he tallied 44 hits and 5 homers. If the Leones can add him, it would boost their outlook.

Fernando Tatis Jr. has made it clear that loyalty matters more than any winter ball roster. Fernando Tatis Sr. might be jobless today, but his firing accidentally reset the league spotlight. If Leones del Escogido lands both Tatis men, LIDOM becomes must-watch chaos disguised as baseball.

Meanwhile, drama in the big leagues is not fading anytime soon!

Reality check on Fernando Tatis Jr. trade rumors

For a minute there, some folks actually convinced themselves that a Fernando Tatis Jr. trade was lurking around the corner. As if the Padres woke up one day and thought, “Yeah, let’s move the guy who sells jerseys, tickets, and half the team’s hope.” Between the winter ball chaos with his dad and the internet rumor mill going wild, someone finally had to say it: reality still exists.

Rumors about Fernando Tatis Jr. started amid the Padres’ payroll concerns and offseason speculation. Social media frenzy escalated after his father’s firing in the Dominican Republic winter league. Tatis Jr. finished 2025 with 34 home runs and 95 RBIs, showing consistent elite production. Fans immediately began imagining trades, disregarding his 14-year, $340 million contract and long-term control.

Ken Rosenthal clarified the situation, calling any Tatis Jr. trade largely unrealistic and improbable.

The Padres will trade away any other player to reduce payroll, but Tatis is not going anywhere. Removing him would significantly damage merchandise revenue, ticket sales, and fan engagement. On-field chemistry would also suffer, as he contributed 3.8 WAR alongside Manny Machado in 2025.

Fernando Tatis Jr. remains untouchable, proving some rumors are just offseason noise without substance. The San Diego Padres’ front office clearly values his impact on both revenue and clubhouse dynamics immensely. Fans can breathe easy knowing Tatis Jr. isn’t being shipped, despite the endless speculation surrounding his name.