Since July 30, when Yangervis Solarte returned from the disabled list, the Padres’ opening-day second baseman has started at every infield position, enabling rookie Carlos Asuaje to remain in the lineup while providing much-needed versatility. On Friday at AT&T Park, Solarte made his 23rd start of the season at shortstop, an assignment no one would have envisioned entering the year.

At the moment, it’s unclear where Solarte will play next spring, both in the field and in what uniform. While the Padres could have a surplus to consider at second base — Asuaje has held his own, and prospect Luis Urias is nearing his major league debut — Solarte’s steady play has attracted trade interest from multiple teams.

Solarte, a father of three daughters, has mulled the scenarios.

Through an interpeter, on where he’d prefer to play: “It’s a question I’ve asked myself. But I don’t know. I think at the same time I would want to come in like I came this year, knowing I could focus on a position.”


On which team he’d prefer to play for, there is more clarity. San Diego — where Solarte emerged as a regular, where a team and a city supported him through tragedy, where he was rewarded with financial security — is the pick.

“After everything that’s happened, after everything I’ve gone through, I always just try to focus on what I have, I always try to stay focused on what’s in front of me, what I’m going to do day-to-day,” said Solarte, whose wife, Yuliett, died of cancer-related complications a little more than a year ago. “But of course, it goes through my mind every now and then. I want to stay here. I think my heart’s here. I’ve developed a ton of good relationships, a lot of friendships. It’s an organization that’s given me the opportunity to be here over all these years.

“At the same time, I understand: If they want to trade me, what am I going to do? If I’m playing all these positions, I know there’s going to be teams that have interest in that versatility. Again, I want to stay here, I want to be here, but if they decide to trade me, I would just be thankful for the opportunity they’ve given me.”

In spite of personal loss, Solarte produced career-best numbers last year, prompting the Padres to sign him to a contract extension. Now 30, he remains a productive player, a fan favorite and a bargain — Solarte will make $4 million in 2018, with two club options to follow. Were it not for an oblique strain, the Padres might have continued their rebuild by dealing him before the July 31 trade deadline.


It will be a possibility again this winter or, if not then, next summer. Solarte’s affordable contract also means the Padres do not have to rush a decision.

Solarte entered Friday hitting .256 with a career-high 18 home runs, numbers that manager Andy Green believe would have been better had the infielder not dealt with injury.

“For us, I’m definitely very interested in having him in the lineup next year,” Green said. “He always hits in the middle of the order almost every single day.”

Should Solarte return, where he plays will continue to be of interest.


“That’s a tough question,” Green said. “I think there’s a lot that has to unfold in order to answer that. He’s one of the few guys that has true versatility for us. … I think in an ideal world, he’d be able to lock in and know he had one spot. It’s just not the way our team is set up right now. He’s kind of had to be that piece that moves around and provides that versatility for us. He’s done it very well, he’s played good defense all over the field. In all likelihood, he’s starting at second or third base going into next season. But he’s shown the ability to play shortstop in short bursts.”

Said Solarte: “At the end of the day, it’s going out there and trying to help the team in any way that I can, at any position. The idea is to be on the field, and if you’re on the field, then you’re able to help. Having that opportunity first and foremost is what matters.”

Advertisement