2011 MLB Trade Rumors: Padres Talking Trade

During his chat session the other day, Bill Center of the San Diego Union reported that the Padres are continuing to talk trades with several clubs this offseason.  San Diego already dealt pitcher Wade LeBlanc and several other members of the Padres are known to be on the block.  Center says that Chicago White Sox outfielder Carlos Quentin is on the Padres list of trade targets.

Last week it was reported that the Padres are actively shopping middle infielders Orlando Hudson and Jason Bartlett.  In moving these veterans, San Diego would be mostly looking for salary relief.  Center believes the “Padres would rather move Hudson than Bartlett” but that “there might be more of a market for Bartlett”.  This falls in line with earlier reports.

Center doesn’t feel that the Padres will be able to eat a majority of either player’s contract, thus increasing the club’s return.  In the case of Hudson, Center says San Diego doesn’t “have the luxury of writing off a $8.25 million commitment” because it wouldn’t leave the club the money to “fill that hole they created at second”.

Beyond Bartlett and Hudson, Center feels that every Padres player not named Cameron Maybin, Nick Hundley, Mat Latos or Anthony Rizzo will be available this winter.

Other than prospects and salary relief, the Padres are also in the market for a corner outfielder.  Quentin has been on the club’s radar for some time, and Center says the 29-year-old is on the Padres’ “list of possibilities”.  Chicago has been receiving calls on Quentin this offseason, and general manager Kenny Williams has said that the club is “more open to making potential moves” that make them “a little younger”.

Center believes the Padres are more likely to fill their bullpen holes via the free agent market than their void in the outfield.  To Center, San Diego will only bring in a corner outfielder if “one is there at the right price”.

For more on the Padres, be sure to check out Chicken Friars.