Padres trade with Braves, get Alonso (source)

Yonder Alonso is headed back to San Diego -- for a reunion with his old team and some family, too.

The Padres traded for the lefty-hitting first baseman on Tuesday, sending cash to Atlanta in return, according to a source. The club has not yet confirmed the deal.

Alonso is expected to add a bit of depth at the team's alternate site at the University of San Diego once he clears COVID screening protocols. His arrival in San Diego will reunite him with brother-in-law Manny Machado, the Padres' star third baseman. Alonso’s sister, Yainee, is Machado’s wife.

“Definitely excited to have my brother-in-law finally on the same team,” Machado said. “Family doesn't have to move around too much.”

Alonso batted .199/.296/.346 with 10 homers in 121 games last season, split between the White Sox and Rockies. He entered Summer Camp on the fringe of the Braves’ roster, but when it came time for a decision, the Braves signed Matt Adams instead. Alonso opted not to report to Atlanta’s alternate site and was placed on the restricted list until the trade.

“He's going to be a great person to have on this ballclub,” Machado said. “He's going to help out all our young guys. It's a big opportunity for him, big opportunity for us to have a player like that.”

It seems unlikely Alonso cracks the big leagues this season, but the Padres certainly aren't ruling it out, considering the uncertainty surrounding baseball in 2020. At the very least, they expect Alonso to serve as a veteran presence and a consistently tough at-bat for their young pitchers who are training at the alternate site.

Alonso spent four seasons in San Diego from 2012-15, batting .271/.339/.386 with 27 of his 100 career home runs. Once he's added, he will bring the Padres' player pool to 58 (out of 60 available spots).