Former White Sox GM Admits Regretted Fernando Tatis Jr. Trade Impacting Franchise

In 2016, the Chicago White Sox traded a then-little-known prospect Fernando Tatis Jr., along with pitcher Erik Johnson, to the San Diego Padres in exchange for veteran pitcher James Shields. Former White Sox GM Rick Hahn has since described the trade as a 'horrible mistake,' admitting that the Padres originally sought Johnson and another pitcher, not Tatis, but shifted their demands, leading to Tatis being included in the deal. At the time, the White Sox were off to a strong start and aimed to bolster their rotation for a postseason run, but Shields performed poorly and the team failed to make the playoffs. Meanwhile, Tatis has developed into a two-time All-Star and a top player in Major League Baseball, now under a $340 million contract with the Padres and a strong candidate for the 2025 National League MVP. Hahn acknowledged the trade's long-term negative impact on the White Sox, who have struggled in recent years and continue to feel the loss of Tatis. The trade highlights the complexities and pressures teams face in balancing immediate needs against future potential.