San Diego Padres rumors: Trading with the Oakland A’s for Matt Olson?
Could the San Diego Padres make a trade with the Oakland A’s and bring Matt Olson to the National League West? It’s a possibility once the current Major League Baseball lockout ends, but it will take some payroll and personnel adjustments to turn it from a rumor into a reality.
What it would take for the San Diego Padres and Oakland A’s to make a trade involving Matt Olson
As Dennis Lin of The Athletic points out in this article (subscription required), with former Oakland manager Bob Melvin now leading the San Diego Padres and already having a solid relationship with Olson from his time with the A’s, the connection makes sense. Plus, with San Diego having suffered a second-half collapse last season and looking to regain relevancy in what is expected to be a top-heavy NL West, adding Olson’s numbers (.271/.371/.540 slash line last season with 39 home runs and 111 RBI) and team control (two more seasons) would immediately inject some added enthusiasm in the clubhouse and pop in the lineup.
However, any deal that would bring Matt Olson to San Diego would hinge upon what the Padres could do with Eric Hosmer, who also plays first base and is due $60 million over the next four years. As our friends at White Cleat Beat point out in this article, with the A’s likely shedding contracts like Olson’s this offseason and potentially into next season, the likelihood of the team taking on a hefty contract like Hosmer’s hovers around zero.
However, if San Diego would be willing to potentially eat some of Hosmer’s contract as well as give up what is expected to be a sizable ransom to obtain Olson, the move could be a possibility. A three-team trade could potentially work as well, should San Diego and Oakland be able to find another trade partner that could be a fit for Hosmer.
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Of course, that’s a lot of “what ifs” and the competition for Olson’s services is expected to be fierce. However, knowing the Padres have already teased more moves are likely to come this offseason, don’t be surprised if San Diego tries everything possible to make the move for Olson.