A.J. Preller stacking Padres’ trade chips
Credit: AP Photo
Here is a glimpse at some possible trade chips for the San Diego Padres as they head into a seemingly busy winter.
The time has come for the San Diego Padres to make a move.
A.J. Preller has done well to stack his side of the poker table with trade chips. The Padres have several men on the 40-man roster who could be traded, and they also have one of the best farm systems in all of baseball. If Preller wants to make a bold move, he can easily do it.
Here is a look at the Padres’ trade chips as the winter approaches.
Major League level
A.J. Preller could trade several potential players this winter. The Padres will explore all options, but the following players seem to have the most substantial trade value while at the same time they have the distinction of being players who could also be the victims of a numbers crunch.
Here is a look at some options in a potential deal who are currently on the Major League roster.
The Padres seemingly chose Renfroe over the more popular Franmil Reyes, who the team traded this past July. Renfroe had a horrible second half as he looked lost at the plate, putting up a .161/.263/.299 batting line with a .562 OPS in 59 games. Renfroe finished the year with 33 homers in 2019, but only six came in the second half. The Gold Glover-caliber defense he flashed in April and May also suffered at the end of the year. The power hitter battled a series of injuries in the second half, and that was a significant factor. The Padres will explore trading Renfroe, but it is not a given. The Padres generally do not deal players when their value is low.
He provides what the Padres need as far as a left-handed bat with upside, but he has struggled to stay in the lineup. Health has been a constant battle for Cordero and will be a significant factor for 2020 in terms of what the Padres do with him. He could be packaged with a few prospects this winter as the Padres search for pitching and left-handed bats who can hit in the middle of the order and get on base, Cordero is a wild card as he is still so young. There is not a lot of trade value here, but a team could be enthralled with his ability.
It will be fascinating to see what the Padres do with Luis Urias. They took it easy with his development in 2019 as he spent most of the year in the PCL. The right-handed hitter slugged at a fantastic rate, but his leg kick and decreased plate discipline were a bit concerning to the Padres. Urias could be dealt as the Padres do technically have Ian Kinsler on the roster for 2020 as well as a few minor leaguers who are close at the position (Ivan Castillo and Owen Miller). If Urias is dealt this winter, the Padres will only do it for significant Major League talent. To get value, the team will need to trade value. That is where Urias may come in handy for San Diego.
There is a lot to like about Joey Lucchesi, and the Padres could view this an opportunity to sell high on the left-handed pitcher. There are several prospects on the rise, and pitching’ jobs will be sparse starting in 2020. His “churve” is a compelling pitch, and his funky mechanics and motion dictate that Lucchesi will have a future in the bullpen if starting games does not work out in the end, The Padres may dangle their young starter this winter as the team looks to improve in several areas.
Like Lucchesi, Lauer could be the victim of a numbers crunch. His ability to throw multiple pitches and the fact he has hit 95 mph consistently in some of his starts makes him a near-lock to make the team in 2020. Like Lucchesi, Lauer could also be transitioned to the bullpen eventually, but the Padres will want to give him every opportunity to establish himself in the league as a starting pitcher. The Padres may offer Lauer in some trade packages, but only for a significant return.
Playing the outfield every day has not been an issue for Naylor. He may not be a Gold-Glove winner any time soon, but he has shown decent foot speed and a strong arm. His route running and flyball reaction are things that will only come in time. The left-handed hitter is currently in the Dominican Republic, where he continues to play the outfield. The Padres could shop Naylor to an AL team who could utilize him at the DH position or slide him back to his natural first base position. There seems to be a high likelihood of trade here.
At times in 2019, Quantrill looked like the first-round pick that everyone expected when the Padres selected him out of Stanford in 2016. He had ups and downs during the season but showed enough that he has an exciting upside. The Padres could package Quantrill for a veteran ace, or they could let him start the 2020 season in the rotation. The uncertainty for the future of this team is real, and Quantrill exemplifies that.
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This is a make or break off season for Preller. He’s been horrible putting together a quality team the last 5 years. Now he has a chance to trade prospects to build a contender. The Tingler hire was a mistake imo but a manager is only as good as his players. AJ needs to get it right or he needs to be fired.
This thread is full of idiots it’s so hard to read. Preller got tatis jr. and machado. Times have never been so good as a padre fan and you all want to throw it away because of a few bad rebuilding years. News flash San Diego is not New York or la. Be great full for this awesome time to be a fan because years of mediocrity are expected in such a small market, and to have 2 superstars on this team for the foreseeable future is something we’ve never had even in our best tony Gwynn days (RIP the greatest person ever). So please RELAX and let preller do his thing and just enjoy being a fan of a future competitive team and stop bitching. You want jedd hoyer back?????
Guys preller has turned this franchise around just like everywhere he has been. Richard’s will be a top 10 pitcher in this leauge. Ian Kinsler was a good move that didnt work out but he has been a great player his entire career. You guys no nothing of Baseball, preller has made this team relevant again
With today’s hire of Tingler, it appears pretty obvious what’s to come: sit on young talent and develop from within for the long run as opposed to selling off many pieces to acquire veterans. This is not a move that signifies big acquisitions from elsewhere to win now. I’m neither supporting or attacking such a move. We may sign FA front of rotation pieces or make 40-man friendly moves. But, I don’t see this team as “trading to get there”.
What little I have read on the new manager shows he’s a developer. That’s what we need somewhere in the organization. Hopefully, he has the managerial chops. I’m sure he’s a great hire but had hoped we’d get a proven winner. Probably takes two to tango though.
A few bonus thoughts. Lol.
*IF Mejia is our catcher going forward, Hedges is an ideal complement for the foreseeable future. Hedges’s bat has become a liability as a starter, but you couldn’t build a better double-switch catcher to close out games from the 7th on. Is Mejia a 120 game starter now or no? That’s the key decision.
*Renfroe and Cordero’s health is of utmost importance in deciding on their futures. Medical staff need to make a call on the odds they’re healthy. Both could be core members of a great run or… something far less.
*In 2019, Urias should have played at 2nd base if we’re keeping him…shortstop if we’re trading him… I don’t think it’s difficult to see what’s happening here.
*I defended Hosmer fiercely in April-May. He rebounded very well, but I think I’d trade him now to get an arm. Myers needs to be a first baseman. He’ll regain value there. Naylor can be a pinch hitter/sub at that spot if Will plays a corner outfielder at times.
*Would teams in NYY and Boston, dying to get under the cap while adding key needs, swap a better fitting big contract? What about a Myers-Hosmer-Kinsler-Richards package for a package centered on Stanton-Severino? Low cost ace and redistribution of salary. How about a Myers-Hosmer-Kinsler-Richards package for a Sale-Benintendi (preferred) or Price-Benintendi package. Both would have to be “medical”-proof. Either way, you’re looking at about $170 M in the outgoing column but roughly $50 M next season alone. Even in the Yankees scenario, one could argue we’re getting more “value” from $36.5 we’d pay Stanton-Severino. Then, they can part out pieces and sign Gerrit Cole (and others), and we can sign Strasburg. Why not pit Boston and NYY against each other…best deal wins? Both can use a first basemen of Hosmer’s pedigree. Both can find a role for Wil, and the other pieces are to help us make a deal. We can find replacement value at first and other positions relatively easily, and a large package could help our 40 Man concerns. In the future, Stanton can be a DH in the AL is 4-5 years in another, inevitable bad contract swap.
This GMing thing ain’t that hard, boys. Lol.
Trade chips for the Padres? For who; a GM who has proven he can’t trade with anyone unless it’s Cleveland and then allow himself to be fleeced? The Marlins and Red Sox don’t trust Preller and won’t do business with him. You think other teams don’t know that Preller is a dishonest individual? But the people I blame the most are Seidler and Fowler. The Padres have owners who mean well but they making a terrible decision in allowing Preller to stay in town. FIVE years of his leadership is quite enough. You know “who” is happy? The Dodgers as they look south and laugh. Not only do the Dodgers have $$$, they have brains – lots of brains. Once upon a time, Kevin Towers could beat them with his decisions, trades and moxy. But the Padres don’t have KT leading the team any longer. Memo to Seidler and Fowler; there’s still time to “right the ship” and bring someone in who knows what the heck he is doing.
The Marlins and Red Sox traded the Padres three pitchers who needed Tommy John surgery (one of them needing it twice)! Preller doesn’t trust THEM! Preller won’t do business with THEM!
Kevin towers was mediocre. 4 total good years out of 15. lucked out. No ability to even try his hand at intl scouting.
Ian Kinsler???…….. puuleeze.
The Padres continue to keep chopping the the team up with trades…and never find any level of consistency….a good farm program means nothing right now..i have heard about the “great farm system” for years…and all of the good prospects who became good players…have been traded to other teams..stop skimping…pay a manager who has a proven track record…what he is worth…and let him put a consistent lineup on the field….and stop trading away the good prospects to other teams…
Who says there will be trades? All the Padres need is a new, dynamic manager and a free agent starter. The Padres signed the top free agent in each of the last two years, so expect either Gerritt Cole or Stephen Strasburg (if he opts out – and why wouldn’t he, to get to pitch for his hometown team?), or maybe Bumgarner as a fallback if the Angels throw money at Cole and Strasburg stays in DC.
The current team underperformed offensively, by swinging for the fences instead of going with the pitch, cutting down their swings with two strikes, and trying to just put the ball in play. Last year only Detroit had more strikeouts, and they lost 114 games! A dynamic manager might have to set up a game show in the clubhouse called, “Are You Smarter Than A Little Leaguer?” to put a stop to that.
great rundown! I am intrigued with both Gabriel Arias and Luis Almanzar. Fernando Tatis is on track to be a superstar…however…I quietly fear that he is major injury waiting to happen. Sliding headfirst into home? His aggressive style of play is to be admired, but to have and keep both Arias and Almanzar training and gaining experience could be the best insurance for the Padre system. I also look into the crystal ball and see Xavier Edwards hitting leadoff and starring at 2B…
The Padres ownership needs to strike now in its managerial search. I would hate to see the inevitable comparison with the “Judases” up north in terms of a lack of winning with an ownership group willing to let things get stagnant by sitting pat on the player front and still not striking gold on the managerial front. As a lifelong San Diego fan, I’m ready for a winner…hopefully before I die or get too sick to attend games. Let’s adjudicate our current talent correctly and bring in guys with the hunger to win NOW!
the padres need a whole new team, period..
Interesting list, by that I mean whos on it and who isnt. Is this your opinion or do you know more than is public? There is a host of bullpen arms in upper minors that are rule 5 eligible in Megill, Radke, Miller, Ashbeck, and Rodriguez. Nothing to headline a deal but could supplement one. Suprised to not see Austin Hedges. As good as he is behind the plate, their lineup doesn’t hit well enough to absorb his absent bat. In the right lineup, Austin could be a value for someone. No Margot Are you really good with sending away the most complete OF the Pads have, and for what? I by no means think Hunter is flawless but you almost have to roll with him if they are even entertaining giving Wil away. Franchy would be selling low on back to back lost seasons to injury without having the reps to prove the winter leauge success wasnt a fluke. He could be that LH bat that is a priority this offseason.
Morejon is injured again and barely on the top 100. No Baez on here.? He clearly has the better track record to Morejon and has to be an arm to build a deal around. Which goes into the fringe young starters with control and upside. Osvaldo Hernandez, Ronald Bolanos, Emmanuel Ramirez, Reggie Lawson showing well in his limited inn. in the AFL, Efrain Contreras, Ryan Weathers, Omar Cruz. The same can be said for the middle infield guys. Do they stay with Urias and hire Ron Washington to “Albies” him and move a Miller, Edwards, or Abrams? Rule 5 eligible pieces like Esteury Ruiz, and Eugy Rosario? or high upside blocked talent which you list like Gabriel Arias.
Good thoughts, but I dont think you have all the pieces on here that could be in play. In my mind its more important the ones they decide to keep. Gore, Patino, Cantillo, Cruz, Edwards, Torrens, Oliveres and Trammel need to be Padres.
Most of these players are unproven, second-tier prospects in the Padres system. I doubt they would headline any major trade. If we want to get a major talent in return, we need to look at the Padres’ top 100 guys. I doubt we get a TOR pitcher without dealing a Patino, an Abrams, an Edwards, or a Campusano.
Also, Gettys isn’t a serious trade chip. He was made available in the rule 5 last year, and will be made available again. He’s a gifted athlete, but his hit tool isn’t major league level, and everyone knows it. I’d love for him to prove me wrong, but he hasn’t done so the past two seasons.
You sound like the national media. You cant have it both ways. Either the Pads have a top farm system because of their incredible depth throughout the system or they dont and only three to four players are worth targeting. I tend to believe the former. Luis Patino and Luis Campusano were also unproven until they arrived and advanced. You mean to tell me Joey Cantillo, Omar Cruz, Tucupita Mercano, and Owen Miller cant? AJ has to pick the right guys to move and believe in the ones his Front Office has selected to be future Padres. How that plays out is gona be the difference in the Pads actually opening this window we have been hearing about for the last 3 seasons.