Padres Rumors: The Calm Before the Storm?
With less than 48 hours before the trade deadline ends on Friday at 1:00 pm PST, all is eerily quiet for the San Diego Padres. The team is rumored to be looking to make some really big moves, but nothing seems imminent and there really is not much news coming out about the team.
Justin Upton figures to be getting the most attention, but the Padres have not fully come out and said they are moving him. In fact the team has not publicly announced it is looking to trade players. Ron Fowler and Mike Dee have both claimed the team is still in the race and neither has hinted of any trades.
Still most educated baseball fans realize the team must do something with their pending free agents. Upton, Ian Kennedy, Shawn Kelley and Will Venable all figure to walk after the year. Each could fetch a decent prospect in return to the right team looking for help. Joaquin Benoit could also become a free agent, as he has a $8 million dollar option for the 2016 season. The Padres surely have players that teams will want, question is are they willing to play ball?
The crazy rumors swirling around the Padres have the team interested to move just about every player. I even saw a report that the Baltimore Orioles should obtain Matt Kemp. Which seems ridiculous, but at this point anything is possible with A.J. Preller at the helm of the San Diego Padres. James Shields and Craig Kimbrel have both been rumored in potential deals as the team looks for the missing pieces to compete.
What exactly is A.J. Preller’s main focus? One would have to think that addressing the hole at shortstop would be the primary concern of the team. Clint Barmes has been solid when he plays, but he is no longer able to play everyday. Alexi Amarista has failed to be consistent both with the bat and on the field. A.J. Preller is surely looking for an upgrade, but the position is one of great weakness throughout Major League baseball.
Rumors recently have centered around the Chicago Cubs and Starlin Castro and Javier Baez. The Cubs would love to get out of Castro’s contract and let Addison Russell play everyday. Baez is currently in Triple-A and really has no spot on the Cubs Major League roster. The 22-year-old Baez has unreal power and bat speed from a middle infielder. However he strikes out at a ridiculous pace, so there is room for adjustments. Baez struck out 95 times in 59 games for the Cubs in 2014.
Reports late Wednesday evening have the Padres on the verge of being very active. Some reports go as far to say the club is looking to make a couple of major moves. It remains to be seen what those moves are. Upton, Venable, Kelley and Kennedy are all uneasy right now. The future in a Padres uniform is in jeopardy. We will see where these players are come Friday afternoon after 1:00 pm PST.
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.