Report: Braves Trade Yonder Alonso, Manny Machado's Brother-in-Law, to Padres

The San Diego Padres were able to do what the Chicago White Sox could not: get Manny Machado and his brother-in-law, Yonder Alonso, in the same organization. 

According to Dennis Lin of The Athletic, the Padres acquired Alonso from the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday for an undisclosed amount of cash. Lin says Alonso will report to the club's taxi squad. 

The White Sox signed Alonso in 2019 as part of their attempt to lure Machado via free agency. The first baseman remained in Chicago until the White Sox placed him on waivers in July of that year.

The 33-year-old has yet to appear in a major league game this season and owns a career slash line of .259/.332/.404 with 100 home runs in 10 seasons. 

Even at his current rate, Alonso gives the franchise a bit more depth at a low cost. 

He also adds something just as valuable this season: familiarity. 

Alonso previously played in San Diego from 2012 to 2015 during what so far has been the peak of his career. The veteran has a career slash line of .274/.346/.405 at Petco Park with 15 home runs and 82 RBI. 

That familiarity could also help a struggling Machado, who is hitting only .215 this year—sixth on the team—with nine RBI and four home runs. As the superstar third baseman looks to get into a groove, the comfort of Alonso, whom Machado also works out with in the offseason, may provide a boost. 

It's a gamble the Padres can afford to take at the moment. 

San Diego is 10-7 on the year and only 1.5 games out of first place in the National League West entering Tuesday. Led by star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr., the young Padres core is beginning to resemble a contender. 

The Alonso move likely won't put them over the top in that regard, but in an unpredictable 2020 season, it gives them a bit more stability moving forward.