The Padres have gotten ace-caliber production from rookie Chris Paddack and quality numbers from fellow young starters Joey Lucchesi and Matt Strahm this year, but they’re still not satisfied with their rotation. The club attempted to acquire Indians co-ace Trevor Bauer toward the beginning of the season, according to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, who reports it’ll continue to seek a No. 1 starter in advance of the July 31 trade deadline. Additionally, San Diego may look for a left-handed hitter to help balance out a righty-heavy lineup, Rosenthal says (video link).
This isn’t the first time the Padres have been tied to the Indians, having reportedly gone after another of their aces, Corey Kluber, in the offseason. The Indians ended up retaining him and Bauer, though, in part because they were expected to contend this year. At 24-20, it appears they’ll do just that, though the back-to-back-to-back AL Central champions are facing plenty of resistance from the first-place Twins. Still, barring a collapse over the next couple months, it may be unrealistic to expect the Tribe to wave the white flag and ship out any of their top pitchers during the season.
Along with Bauer and Kluber, the Padres have reportedly pursued deals for the Mets’ Noah Syndergaard and the Blue Jays’ Marcus Stroman dating back to the offseason. They also had winter interest in Dallas Keuchel, who remains a free agent almost seven months after hitting the market. Even though Syndergaard hasn’t been his usual dominant self this season, it’s far from a sure thing the Mets would move him and his two-plus years of team control. Stroman, who’s thriving in his penultimate season of control, looks more likely than Syndergaard to change teams during the summer. Rangers lefty Mike Minor is also among controllable starters who may hit the trade block, given that he’s only signed through next season. As for Keuchel, it’s anyone’s guess how much he’ll wind up raking in during his seemingly endless stay on the open market. Furthermore, it’s unknown whether the Padres are still interested in the 31-year-old former AL Cy Young winner.
One thing is clear: Few teams are in better position to make hay on the trade market than the Padres, who continue to boast an enviable farm system. They’re still a work in progress at the big league level, though, as their desire for more starting pitching and offense shows. For the most part, San Diego’s best hitters are right-handed, with first baseman Eric Hosmer the sole lefty-swinging regular on the roster. The lack of balance has been a problem for the Padres, who have only managed an 83 wRC+ with a .686 OPS against right-handed hurlers.
Aren’t we all
They want him cheap too.
Padres look bad, now all the way back to .500 and could be under .500 after tomorrow.
Didn’t we kind of expect that though? I was under the impression that the early success was more of a nice surprise than an expectation.
Easy schedule also
B A R T O L O
Stop
Nah give it to me.
Could you imagine putting Bartolo back in the park where he created the most legendary moment in MLB history
I knew Colon was old but he was the pitcher when Babe Ruth called his shot?
100% agree.
package headlined by Naylor for Minor or Bumgarner could work
I’d prefer Bumgarner.
Nah, madbum has the better track record, but Minor looks more like an ace this year.
Minor is controlled through 2020 so it would take more than Naylor. Also look at the needs of the other team when proposing trades. Texas needs pitching badly. You will have to give up what Texas needs, not your prospects that you do not need or don’t have a place for.
Hahaha this is funny. Preller is not trading naylor for mike minor, let alone him and a pitching prospect. Padres are looking for a TOR arm which minor is not. Yes, he is pitching well now but not what the Padres are looking for.
Why would the Padres trade a borderline top 100 prospect + more for a guy who they would be guaranteed to lose after the season? Especially to a division rival.
Not that MadBum is having a great year, but would take a package much bigger than Naylor & ???? to get Mad Bum.
Furthermore on the suggestion of Naylor for Mad Bum. Naylor is primarily a 1B man. Giants already have Belt and plan on moving Posey to 1B one day. Naylor has just started working out in the OF recently, don’t think Giants would entrust him to an OF spot.
Bro the giants would put my 93 year old uncle in the OF.
Why would the Padres trade for any pitcher that would be a 3 month rental? Makes no sense when they could probably sign Kuechel to a one year deal in June and give up nothing.
They should make a play for Stroman. He would do a lot better in the NL.
Agreed. Should be a nice grab if the price is right.
They should trade for Wendle and KK. That’s about eight war a year over the next two or three years at about ten million a year. It doesn’t fix the offense but adds versatility and great defense while allowing them to trade a corner outfielder. Hosmer was a terrible signing and won’t easily be remedied. I’d play him in the outfield occasionally and bring in another left handed 1st baseman.
That’s also about 8 IL trips over the next 2-3 years.
Hosmer has swung the bat a heck of a lot better this year than last. Give him another chance.
A “bad” season from Hos was still a 99 OPS+ season. But he also is capable of 120+ seasons which is solid even if he isn’t your typical power hitting 1B he is a decent player. He gets too much hate (anyone at that price is overpaid)
Without any context, that 99 OPS+ in a “bad” season looks fine. But when you factor in that he’s a first baseman, it’s pretty awful. You can’t have a first baseman putting up a .720 OPS, especially when he’s getting paid like that – not to mention he rates out as a brutal defender. He was the 19th best first baseman according to wRC+, and he was 20th in fWAR. He is every bit as bad as most people think he is, and that contract only makes it worse.
Why does it matter what position he plays?
He wasn’t a bad signing. There is no room in the outfield.
I think if they can get Stroman- go for it- otherwise, hold off until the offseason when Bauer is more possible.
I personally don’t see them competing in a months time looking at the run diff and the recent sloppy play, so I’d be more focused on evaluating what they could get for rentals like Adam Warren and Craig Stammen.
the Phillies are hardly out of contention and wont be any time soon. the division is horrendous suddenly, and although the rest of the teams will pick up some steam a bit, Harper will go on one of those tears where he puts the whole offense on his back for a month plus. No reason not to try for a rental pitcher, its not like youd lose much to get one.
Say what? Harper hasn’t done anything like that in 2+ years. Not sure about how the Phil’s will do but if anyone to think Harper will carry them is smoking some bad stuff.
I was talking about the Padres
Why would they trade for anyone with just one year of team control? Why would they sign Stroman or Bauer in the offseason?
That’s more likely not competing at deadline and selling Stammen and Yates
How has a Cleveland Starter for a Padres outfielder not happened yet??? Literally a match made in heaven!
Though it wouldn’t happen now thanks to Clevinger’s injury
……..and Mercado’s promotion.
Yea since that Brad Hand for Mejia has worked out well
Cleveland’s starters are better than the Padres’ outfielders that is why. The Indians are trying some young outfielders currently. They will trade for an outfielder closer to the deadline if there still is a need at that time.
Dear Mr. Hockey guy, your pitching staff ( who you have avalible rn) is no were near the padres outfielders. Outside of Bauer, carrasco is trash and everybody else is average. NTM Indians were only ranked a couple of spots below the Indians and you can argue we only have 2 legit starter rn. Now our outfielders are one of the deepest in the game with Framnil Reyes with already 14 dingers and Hunter Renfroe who is in double digit homeruns as well. I will admit Wil Myers is trash but we still have young power hitter Franchy Coredo and speedster Manuel Margot that makes use one the deepest in the majors. I appreciate you playing along hokey guy!
You lost all credibility when you said “Carrasco is trash.”
As an impartial fan of neither team team IMHO Indians P>Pads OFs any day of the week
This is fun. You just said that the rotation which is still intact from last year and had a historic run of 200 IP and 200k for four of its five members is trash. Do some research before you post something so you don’t look like a fool.
Dear King, Bauer, Carrasco, and Bieber are all better than any Padre outfielder. You show your real lack of knowledge of baseball. Margot is batting .246. Renfroe is batting .232 and is a career .243 hitter. Renfroe and Reyes are weak defensively. Myers is incredibly overpaid. You can keep your outfielders and the Indians will keep their pitchers..
Also, King, Clevinger is much better than any Padre outfielder and it looks like Clevinger will be back in early June.
I wouldn’t say somebody with an ERA near 4 is good.. so you can it what you want
Johnny you are comparing apples and oranges. I can play this too Chris Paddack is better then any Cleveland outfielder.i would much rather have Framnil Reyes .270 ave with 14 hr then Carrasco 4.18 era any day. That’s just me tho.
So you ignore the rest of Carrasco’s career. In his last six starts his era is 1.92. He had one game that he gave up 6 runs in 2/3 of an inning so his era is inflated. If you can’t do any research before you spout off your nonsense, you can’t be helped. I never commented about Paddack and the Indians’ outfielders. You said the Padres’ outfielders were better and I just proved you wrong. Look at the other comments all disagreeing with you. Go back and work on your homework sonny.
Kluber is hurt. Clevinger is hurt. Carrasco has a 4.18 ERA. Beiber and Bauer were closer to a 4.00 ERA than a 3.50 ERA going into today’s game.
Reyes .891 OPS with 14 HR. Renfroe .838 OPS with 11 HR. The worst of the bunch is Myers with .720 OPS and 7 HR or just about league average. Then you have Margot as a 4th OF. Only the Dodgers and Brewers currently have better OF production.
Padres OF is better than what is left of the Indians pitching staff.
Then tell me why the Padres keep trying to trade for Cleveland’s pitching? Why does Cleveland keep turning down San Diego’s trade offers? You also have to look beyond this year to reflect on past results and predict future projections. Bieber pitched a complete game shutout yesterday striking out 15 batters. Clevinger is due back June 7th and gave up zero runs in his two starts before the injury.
Someone earlier talked up Margot’s speed. Wow 3 steals. That is impressive. Renfroe is batting .232 with questionable to poor defense.
You will never get one of Cleveland’s pitchers straight up in a trade for one of your outfielders. Your either dreaming or high if you think otherwise.
I will keep the pitching and go with the kids in the outfield. If they don’t develop
Because Cleveland wants to win and trading a frontline starter won’t help them do that.
Actually not scoring any runs will not help them do that.
So trade prospects for established position players. Cleveland doesn’t need prospects with the position they are in. Either way, trading a frontline starter won’t help. His production would just have to be replaced.
The Indians have shown in past years to make deadline deals to fill a need. They will try out the young outfielders that they have to see what they can do. If they need help, they will then go and get it. The Indians have had to deal with injuries as they have gone a period of time this season without two position players (Lindor and Kipnis) earlier and two starters (Clevinger and Kluber) currently. Clevinger looks to be back June 7th. There is a long time left in the season.
Yeah the sky is falling in Cleveland. Two Cy Young candidates have done poorly, Kluber bombed and then got seriously hurt, Bauer has been knocked around and Clevinger was pitching like a Cy Young contender and got shelled on the 60 day IL. Linder was hurt, Kipnis hurt, Hanley Ramirez bombed out, Ramirez hasn’t hit, the interchangeable parts have all underwhelmed and the Twins have been very good, but guess what? Cleveland’s bullpen has been pretty damn good despite the geniuses all saying they’d bomb and they’ve scraped together enough offense to be over 500 and would make the playoffs. That’s right, as of today they’re in the playoffs!!! So, once the hurt players heal and guys start to hit they’ll be ok after all and will find a trading partner for pieces they’ll need to get over the hump.
Bauer has been quite convincing that he intends to go year to year seeking high AAV’s. Trading for him would make little sense.
The Padres are one of 4 (maybe 5) teams that could sign Gerrit Cole next year. They should sign Kuechel to finish out the year and trade for Stroman while saving up for Cole.
I really like your thinking the only thing is I don’t know if Stroman is our guy. If we can sign Kuechel to a 1-2 yr deal and then get Gerrit Cole next offseason!! NTM we will hopefully have Lamet coming back towards the end of the season as well!
Stroman is waiting. All of your prospect are belong to us now
They should keep close watch on the Nationals and if they continue to stink they should go after max Scherzer
Pass. The 2020 free agent pitching class is pretty decent. Try to get a front line starter then.
Agree. I’d go after Cole or Wheeler. While this year is definitely a step I. The right direction, they ain’t there yet.
I agree…they need to ride this year out
Boyd and Greene from the tigers?
for a half dozen top prospects maybe. no one’s matching Detroit’s asking price.
Blue Jays are seeking multiple MLB starting pitchers with a pulse. They aren’t ready to deal the one guy that’s healthy.
They would be very willing to deal Stroman for the return they’re seeking, though it certainly wouldn’t be cheap.
Yeah, at this point (May 19) the only way Stroman is traded is if the package included 2 near-MLB ready arms from San Diego (Quantrill, another guy) and an OF (Naylor). Doubtful San Diego will do that right now. They will maybe deal Quantrill, a lower level arm low on the prospect ranking and one of their underachieving young outfielders.
If that is the Jay’s asking price, they wont make a deal. Stroman is a 3 on most of these competitive teams, and hes had a horrible start this year. No way he goes for 3 near ready MLB players.
Exactly. Jays are hurting for arms and Stroman’s the only reliable arm that’s healthy. They do need to deal him, just not right now.
How’s Machado doing? Lol
Not nice!! Lol
11 game hitting streak … .812 OPS … playing Gold Glove defense … so, fine. A lot better than Harper.
bingo! WAY better than Harper
11 game hitting streak going into todays game. I would say not a bad start. Thanks for checking in!
A lot of contenders will be looking for front end starters. The padres have the number one farm system for a reason, I wonder if they will trade for Bauer with the Indians struggling. It looks like right now the twins are going to win the al central.
It’s May.
Saying Marcus Stroman has thrived is a questionable assessment. While he started out hot and has pitched better then his 1-6 record suggests his whip for the year is 1.29+ hardly a rousing number and in his last 3 starts he has pitched 17 innings giving up 9 earned runs and 23 hits and then went on the IL. Is that a number one starter. To me trading for Marcus Stroman and expecting a front end starter is a questionable proposition
The mets could trade Thor , since they are falling out of the nl east race.
Now you’re just making stuff up. He didn’t go on the IL. His ERA is below 3 in the AL East. Go on and cherry pick stats though.
Put Stroman in the NL West and he’ll put up beast numbers.
How about a deal with the Nationals… Adam Eaton and Sherzer… Sherzer would be tough to pry away, but he’s owed 42 mil a year for the next 2 years. Maybe they’d take Myers and some prospects?
Wow, just looked at Myers contract… 22 mil a year for 4 more years. Good God!!!. That would be a very tough sell.
No one is taking Myers and if they are they aren’t giving up more than a 29 y/o reliever in A-ball
No one would want him, but it might be part of a salary dump. He could offset costs instead of just sending money. Kemp and Homer Bailey were said to be untradeable.
Eaton and Scherzer don’t have costs that need to be offset.
Sherzer is owed 42 mil per year for 2 more years…. Are you kidding?
1. If not from him, where are you going to get that kind of production for less money?
2. I believe most of that is deferred which decreases the NPV of his contract.
3. Has a full NTC so this whole conversation is probably pointless.
Dallas Keuchel would be a great fit.
What about Matt Boyd, seems like the right park for him to pitch in.
The Padres need to be both opportunistic buyers and sellers as the trade deadline approaches. If there is a TOR starter available at a reasonable price get a deal done. If not wait until free agency. If there is a team that is willing to overpay for Yates then get a deal done.
Nope. Pick a direction and stick to it. And if the last 3 series are any indication I think we know what that direction is…
It’s not about this year if you know what is going on. The Padres have already chosen their direction. It’s about adding and subtracting the right pieces. Think of it like building a puzzle. The image is starting to come into focus, and the Padres need to find the right pieces in order to complete it.
The only “buying” that makes sense is buying low on a guy with a few extra years of control (like what they did when they traded for Ian Kennedy 6 years ago).
That makes no sense man. The Padres aren’t looking for a mid or back of the rotation arm. Their farm is loaded with prospects that can fill that role. I agree that they need a TOR arm with multiple years of control.
The point is that now isn’t the time to overpay in a trade for SDP. They should be looking for value.
Mets and Padres could match up on a blockbuster.
Syndergaard and player for Hedges,Allen or Mejia, Naylor, minor league arm or two.
Hedges,Austin Allen or Mejia helps with Mets need for a full time catcher. Naylor can play multiple spots.
Pads get Syndergaard. Both cities and fanbases need a jolt and both teams areon the rise.
Trying to get rid of Mejia already? LOL!
Jays (hopefully) are only trading stroman for a haul. I suggest that they need to do it sooner than later. He is not the pitcher a few games have shown this year. He is a #3 over the long haul of a season. If the Padres or anyone else we looking at him as a TOR guy, the Jays better bit at their offer.
Otherwise it could end up as a similar scenario to most the previous elite Jays assets. The club waits too long to deal them and they aren’t worth much.