San Diego Padres: Three players who could be traded in blockbuster deals
By Ben Fadden
Kirby Yates
Kirby Yates struggled in previous stops, most notably with the New York Yankees, but he was the best closer in the league in 2019 despite his team’s mediocre record.
Yates, who led the league with 41 saves in 2019, had a 1.19 ERA in over 60 innings of work in addition to striking out over 100 batters.
Yates has expressed his desire to stay in San Diego, as he likes what is transpiring.
“I don’t really pay attention to it. I’m not a guy that searches Twitter or anything like that. I don’t look for certain things,” Yates said during the season. “If you’re out there and wanted to go find things, I’m sure I could find them. I love it here, and want to stay in here.”
Contenders who were eliminated in the postseason due to their bullpen struggles like the Dodgers and Braves probably would’ve re-thunk their decisions when he was dangled at the Trade Deadline.
Well, they will have another chance this off-season if San Diego is trying to trade Yates for big-league assets. Yates is also just one year away from free agency so if the San Diego Padres do not extend him, then they should trade him for something instead of nothing at the end of 2020.
“If you’re going to win a championship, you’re going to need a guy like Kirby in the back of the bullpen for you,” Preller said this season.
The third player who could be dealt is another outfielder who was in trade talks before the Deadline….