San Diego Padres focused on trade market for offense
By Aaron Somers
Handing out lucrative free agent contracts isn’t the norm when it comes to the San Diego Padres. It’s simply not in the character of how the organization has operated for years, making the team’s pursuit of Pablo Sandoval somewhat of a surprise across the baseball landscape. Sandoval never appeared likely to choose the Padres, but perhaps their willingness to get involved was an indication of just how serious new GM A.J. Preller is when it comes to improving the club’s offense.
The Padres have since shifted their focus, according to MLB.com’s Corey Brock, and have pushed their attention towards the trade market.
It’s no secret that the Padres have a number of players who have been made available on the trade market – specifically Ian Kennedy, Tyson Ross, Andrew Cashner, Yasmani Grandal, Rene Rivera, and Austin Hedges. Kennedy has already been linked to a handful of teams, including the Royals and Rangers, and Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports relays that the club has been getting calls on all three catchers.
Sources: #Padres getting “ton of inquiries” on their catchers - Grandal, Rivera and top prospect Austin Hedges. Talks active.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 26, 2014
San Diego has been linked to their share of players as well, including Cincinnati’s Jay Bruce and Boston’s Yoenis Cespedes. As Brock notes, there is some uncertainty about how serious the team will pursue either option. Cespedes, in particular, is a question mark given the fact that he’s only signed through this coming season and the team cannot make him a qualifying offer following the year. A deal involving Kennedy, however, could make a lot of sense for both sides.
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Cespedes, who hit .260/.301/.450 with 22 HR and 100 RBI this past season, would give the Padres the right-handed bat that they are looking for. He’s due to earn $10.5 million this coming season. Kennedy, who posted a 3.63 ERA and 1.289 WHIP in 201 IP, would fill Boston’s need for pitching. He’ll earn $10.3 million this season. It’d be a near equal exchange from a payroll standpoint, while allowing each side to address a need.
One notable free agent possibility remains for San Diego, of course, as the team is still involved in pursuing free agent Yasmany Tomas. The Padres have had an offer out to the Cuban slugger for some time now. Brock reports that Preller was in the Dominican Republic as recently as Saturday to meet with Tomas’ agent, but it’s unclear if their offer was increased at that time.