Trade Deadline Preview: San Diego Padres
Jun 18, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; A detailed view of the patch worn by the San Diego Padres before a game against the Seattle Mariners in honor of former player
Tony Gwynn(19) at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Needless to say it has been a tough year for the San Diego Padres. First, long-time Hall of Fame announcer Jerry Coleman passed away during the offseason and then the pride of the Padres, “Mr. Padre” himself, Tony Gwynn died far too young just a couple weeks ago. As if that wasn’t enough, the team is struggling mightily on the field, scoring the fewest runs in all of baseball, and have slipped behind the Arizona Diamondbacks in the cellar of the NL West. Oh, and they just got no-hit by Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum, for the second time, this past week.
The rough season is leading to wholesale changes, as GM Josh Byrnes was relieved of his duties recently, and the team has been left without a clear game plan. It’s clear a major rebuilding effort needs to be undertaken, and there’s no better time than now to get that started.
Despite the struggles as a whole, the Padres assuredly have some individual pieces that could provide significant boosts to contending teams all over baseball. There are few, but the San Diego Padres are a true, bonafide seller in this trade market.
Nov 2, 2013; Surprise, AZ, USA; San Diego Padres catcher
Austin Hedgesagainst the East during the Fall Stars Game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Since the Padres will be sellers, they won’t be looking to acquire talent to boost their MLB roster right away, they’ll be looking to get young players with plenty of upside as the organization appears to have multiple needs they’ll focus on:
1. Offensive prospects
The team with the worst offense in baseball will have to reconstruct their lineup of the future. The team has a number of young pitchers who can anchor the rotation for years to come, they just need players who can give them run support. Austin Hedges and Hunter Renfroe will likely supply some of that punch the Padres will need, but they won’t be enough.
2. Youth and controllability
A team in the current state that the Padres are in, should have no other motive than to acquire as many young and controllable assets as possible. A huge injection of young talent into this organization could be a significant first step in what could be a lengthy rebuilding process.
3. A clear direction
With the search for a new GM ongoing, the team can only tread water. Once new leadership is installed, the team can finally embark on a concerted rebuilding effort with a clear philosophy on how to do it.
Jun 7, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres 3rd baseman Chase Headley (7) during the Padres 4-3 win over the Washington Nationals at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Stan Liu-USA TODAY Sports
The Padres are said to be “open for business” with anyone on the roster potentially available, aside from ace Andrew Cashner. There are players who may be more likely to be moved than others, however.
Headley’s days in San Diego have appeared numbered for some time now and his name has been mentioned frequently in trade rumors for the past year and a half. With free agency looming after the season, it seems evident that time has come for the Padres to move him. Injury concerns and poor performance have limited his once promising trade value, at best the team is likely to receive some mid-level prospects in return. Headley will walk for nothing at season’s end, so any return is better than nothing.
Street figures to bring in a stronger package than Headley would, he’s having a spectacular season thus far. Of the 34 games the Padres have won as of June 29th, Street has saved 20 of them, posting a minuscule 0.96 ERA in the process. It would make sense for the Angels above any other team to make a push for Street. They’ve attempted to try the change of scenery method, acquiring Jason Grilli from the Pirates for Ernesto Frieri, but a proven closer like Street could really improve their bullpen as a whole.
3. Ian Kennedy
The Padres made a shrewd move in acquiring Kennedy last year for lefty reliever Joe Thatcher, getting an established starter under control through 2014. The time is now though, to cash in the Kennedy chip. A team like the New York Yankees could seek a reunion with the righty, and many others like the Giants, Athletics, Cardinals, Braves, and Blue Jays could pursue Kennedy in lieu of the higher priced starters like David Price and Jeff Samardzija. A Headley/Kennedy package to the Yankees could be a distinct possibility.
Feb. 21, 2113; Tempe, AZ, USA: Los Angeles Angels infielder Kaleb Cowart poses for a portrait during photo day at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Taking into consideration the possibility of a deal being struck with the Bronx Bombers, who would the Padres be looking to get in return for a potential Headley/Kennedy duo? As stated before, offense is likely a primary target for the offensively challenged Friars.
1. Eric Jagielo
Jagielo is something of an “aim high” acquisition for the Padres in this case. The appeal of addressing two needs for the Yankees in the Headley/Kennedy deal would have to be the primary selling point. With Headley gone, Jagielo would likely battle Jace Peterson for the crown of “third baseman of the future” for the Padres.
2. Slade Heathcott/Mason Williams
These two outfielders have struggled in 2014, and their notoriety likely stems more from their association with the Yankees than with their actual potential. That said, there is a chance they could evolve into productive major leaguers at some point.
3. Kaleb Cowart
The Angels willingness to deal Cowart may depend on their sense of desperation regarding their closer role. If Grilli, or Joe Smith does an adequate job holding down the 9th inning, chances are slim they’d deal Cowart. The Padres have to hope for a few more inopportune bullpen meltdowns between now and July 31st in order to drive up the Angels’ urgency to address their closer situation further, and thus the price tag for Huston Street.