Padres News: Rangers Interest in Pomeranz Heating Up
Credit: AP Photo
It is no secret that the San Diego Padres and Texas Rangers match up well in a possible trade. In fact this is a subject that I have written extensively about. The Padres have many key veteran players that the Rangers covet and the team from Texas is loaded in their farm system. The Padres are currently looking for prospects in an attempt to refurbish their far system.
The Rangers prospects that interest the Padres start with Joey Gallo and Jurickson Profar. Both players are basically major league ready, but are blocked at the highest level by established players. Adrian Beltre is the Rangers heart and soul and the team recently gave him a contract extension. Profar is blocked by Elvis Andrus and Rougned Odor at shortstop and second base and really has no spot either. It makes sense for the Rangers to move them in an attempt to improve their playoff chances.
Besides these two major league ready prospects the Rangers have numerous mid-level prospects and it is reported that some team are scouting their lower level prospects as well. 17-year-old outfielder Leody Tavares and 18-year-old shortstop Andreson Tejada specifically have been named as possible players of interest to other teams. The Padres are currently loaded with prospects from the 16-20 year old age group and the future is bright. One wonders if the Padres will want prospects a little longer in the tooth and further along in their development.
Sources: #Rangers interested in #Padres All-Star Pomeranz, have done background work on him. TEX has checked on most of available pitching.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 12, 2016
The Padres have needs and the Rangers have the youth to satisfy those needs. The Padres currently have three to four veteran players that could make the difference in a World Series Title run. Andrew Cashner, Derek Norris, Ryan Buchter and Drew Pomeranz all make great sense for the Rangers. The team has pitching needs and also needs a catcher. They have been linked to Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy as well, so their interest in Norris will probably go down to what happens with Lucroy who is the better catching option right now. It is reported the Brewers want a lot for him which might bring the Rangers back to the Padres on the trade front.
The latest rumors have the Rangers scouting and doing their homework on Drew Pomeranz. That is exciting for the Padres as Pomeranz has the upside and value that could fetch a huge haul for the team. Until his name was brought up, the Padres really had no shot at trading for Gallo or Profar, but Pomeranz’s name is well worth either prospect. There is still a long way to go presumably between the two teams, but there is a definite nucleus for a trade to be consummated. Pomeranz will be of interest to many teams that is for sure. The Rangers could be in for a bidding war which would benefit the Padres.
The Padres are in no need to deal the left-handed pitcher. He has clearly established himself as one of the best young lefties in the game. At the age of 27 he has clearly found himself as a pitcher and could be the second coming of Jake Arrieta. The Cubs pitcher was a late bloomer as well and is now one of the best pitchers in the game. Pomeranz could very easily be that type of dominating pitcher. His numbers prove that fact.
The Padres are aware of how well Pomeranz has pitched, but are also weary of the fact he hasn’t thrown over 100 innings in a season in his professional career. That in itself might be a factor for the Rangers and if they are willing to pay the hefty price tag for him. The Rangers need Pomeranz to pitch with this dominance in the playoffs and could be a little hesitant to acquire him with his limited experience going over 100 innings in a season. The two teams match up well and this will definitely not be the last time the two teams are linked in a potential deal.
James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.