Padres Rumors: Yankees Heavily Scouting Padres Bullpen
Per a report by Jon Morosi the New York Yankees are heavily scouting the San Diego Padres. The report indicated the Padres bullpen as the Yankees main interest. Automatically everyone in the media assumes it is Craig Kimbrel they are interested in, but Joaquin Benoit might be a better fit for the team. Having Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller already at the back-end of the rotation already.
The Padres also have former Yankee Shawn Kelley in their bullpen. Kelley started out his tenure as a Padre roughly, but has been very solid of recent. The Yankees could also have interest in Will Venable or even Ian Kennedy. Venable would provide a nice left-handed bat off the bench for the Yankees. Kennedy could be an innings eater in the back-end of the rotation.
It has been reported that the Yankees have inquired about Cole Hamels. The Phillies asked for Aaron Judge or Gregory Bird in the deal, and the Yankees refused. These are reports, who knows if they are true, but the Yankees are likely trying to hold onto those tow top hitters in their farm system. Judge is a mammoth outfielder with unreal power potential. The right handed hitter stands 6 foot 7 inches in the box and is 23 years old. He was recently promoted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and is hitting .289 in 22 games with two home runs and 11 RBI’s. He has great power but has been a strike out machine in the minor leagues so far in his professional career.
Greg Bird is a 22-year-old first baseman who was also recently promoted to Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes-Barre too. The left-handed hitting Bird has great eye at the plate but his power seems to be lacking for a first baseman. He is hitting .284 in 19 games in Triple-A with three homers and 11 RBI’s. He is described as an average defender at first and has below average speed on the base paths. Neither of these two prospects are reportedly available, so lets take a look at some possible prospects the Padres could obtain.
Jorge Mateo might be the shortstop the Padres have been looking for since losing Trea Turner in the Wil Myers deal. The 20-year-old right handed hitter is known for having exceptional speed. In 90 games this year with the Charleston RiverDogs, Mateo is hitting .281 with two home runs and 33 RBI’s. He has also stole a league high 70 bases so far this season. His defense is viewed as above average. The Yankees surely have a need a shortstop so I am not sure how obtainable Mateo would be.
Mason Williams is a left-handed hitting outfielder who has got his first taste of Major League pitching this year. The 23-year-old left-handed hitter has 21 Major League at bats where he is hitting .286 with one homer and three RBI’s. In Double-A and Triple-A this season Williams hit .318 with 22 RBI’s and 13 stolen bases. He is described as a quality center fielder but his bat has regressed a bit. Perhaps a change of scenery will rejuvenate his career.
Right handed pitcher Rookie Davis is 22 years old and is currently in High A-Ball. The burly pitcher has a great fastball and could develop into a closer in time. So far this season he has 17 starts and is 5-5 with a 3.10 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP. He has struck out 101 batters in 90 innings so far this year. A power pitcher with a decent upside, Davis could emerge with time.
The Yankees are not typically a team that messes around when they see something they like. Benoit or Kelley could be a great pickup for them, they just need to pay the Padres asking price. Something could develop here in time. The Yankees are surely a team you want to keep an eye on during this weeks trading deadline and the countdown towards it.
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.