It was not that long ago that Dinelson Lamet was expected to be a key part of the San Diego Padres’ future. He had been considered to be a possible rising star, armed with the type of stuff that could make him a front line starter. However, injuries and the Padres’ acquisitions of other arms have made Lamet an afterthought.
Now, he could help the Padres in another manner. They have been looking to shed payroll, with Eric Hosmer and Wil Myers the names that have most frequently been brought up in trade talks. According to reports, Lamet is now a part of those conversations as well, as the Padres are looking at him as someone that could be dealt away to shed salary.
Dinelson Lamet on San Diego Padres trade block
Lamet would be an intriguing piece for any team looking to bring him in. He is only due just over $4.7 million this season and is still under team control for next year. His pure stuff could lead to his being a possible weapon in the latter innings, especially if a team looks to use him in a fireman type of role.
Likewise, it is possible that any team bringing him on would give him a chance to re-establish himself as a starter. Lamet is not going to get that opportunity in San Diego given that he is buried on that depth chart. A team could consider him as a change of scenery player, one that just needs a chance in a new environment.
Unlike Hosmer or Myers, Lamet would be more than just a salary dump. Although it would be foolhardy to expect that they could attach either of those larger salaries to Lamet for a trade, the hard throwing righty could bring back a solid return in his own right, especially as teams look for pieces for the bullpen.
Dinelson Lamet no longer has much of a role with the San Diego Padres. He could, however, bring back a solid return if he is to be traded away.