Report: Padres have legitimate interest in Trea Turner after 2 meetings

The San Diego Padres might have another big move in the works.

San Diego appears to have a legitimate interest in signing Trea Turner after two in-person meetings with the free-agent shortstop, sources told The Athletic's Dennis Lin and Ken Rosenthal.

The Padres, who already employ shortstops Fernando Tatis Jr. and Ha-Seong Kim, are reportedly also inquiring about free-agent shortstop Xander Bogaerts, but Turner appears to be their preference, Lin and Rosenthal add.

The franchise drafted Turner in 2014 and has attempted to re-acquire the 29-year-old since trading him a year later.

The Padres failed to do so at the 2021 trade deadline. Instead, the two-time All-Star ended up with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he hit .307/.353/.490 with 31 home runs, 56 doubles, 128 RBIs, and 38 steals in 212 games.

The one-time batting champion owns a career .302/.355/.487 slash line with 124 homers, 191 doubles, 36 triples, and 230 stolen bases in eight seasons.

Turner's success has positioned him to sign one of the most lucrative free-agent deals this winter, with Lin and Rosenthal mentioning the possibility of a $300-million contract.

San Diego and president of baseball operations A.J. Preller aren't shy about making blockbuster moves, signing Tatis, Eric Hosmer, and Manny Machado to massive nine-figure contracts while pulling off sizable trades for Juan Soto and Josh Hader in recent years.