San Diego Padres 2020 trade deadline round table

For the first time since 2010, the San Diego Padres will be looking to make a playoff push following the MLB trade deadline. 

In the shortened season this year, the trade deadline is on August 31, as opposed to the typical July 31. 

With multiple routes to take this year, here is what some of the East Village Times team thinks the San Diego Padres should do before the August 31 deadline. 

Do you believe that G.M. A.J. Preller should be active at the trade deadline?

Unanimously, yes.

Should the Padres buy or sell?

Unanimously, buy.

Explain why the Padres should buy

Evan Anderson(@evanofficial_):

Preller is always active and very savvy. I would not be surprised if he were both a buyer and a seller. With the chance of making the playoffs, the Padres need to solidly and fill the gaps in the roster.

Nick Lee(@NickLee51):

16 team playoff. Talented roster. Go for it. 

Chris Spiering(@ChrisSpiering):

The Padres are real contenders in 2020. The Padres are known to be sellers at the deadline due to a lack of success. This year is different. With the loss of closer Kirby Yates, San Diego needs another strong bullpen arm. The loss of Tommy Pham also speaks of concern, but expect Padres’ GM A.J. Preller to look for more help to get this team in position to win games. 

Bobby Murphy(@bobbymurphy2000):

Injuries are adding up in the bullpen and at catcher. Trading to solidify, there is a good idea. 

Alex Yeargan(@PadresAlex):

Preller should be and likely is willing to both buy and sell. The team has clear needs and is also overflowing with prospects. More than a couple will need protection from Rule 5, and even more, have no clear path to the big league team. Trading an upper-level prospect for a recent draftee may be in the cards for the Padres.

Jason Freund(@jasonfreund_):

The Padres have a winning record and are finally legit contenders for the postseason. Injuries and underperformance plague the bullpen while the Padres need to upgrade at crucial positions on the baseball diamond if they want to hang with the Dodgers.

What position(s) should the Padres buy?

Evan Anderson(@evanofficial_):

Primarily bullpen and a potential 5th starter. The bullpen is not the asset that was expected. In fact, it is the most glaring flaw. A starter would let Morejon and Patiño focus more on a bullpen role, or a bullpen arm would allow those two to become co-starters. 

Nick Lee(@NickLee51):

Bullpen. Outfield. 

Chris Spiering(@ChrisSpiering):

Relief pitching, corner outfield spots, catcher 

Bobby Murphy(@bobbymurphy2000):

Relievers, catcher

Alex Yeargan(@PadresAlex):

A bullpen arm or two, and possibly one more reliable hitter for the lineup.

Jason Freund(@jasonfreund_):

Relief Pitcher, Left Field, Designated Hitter

If you want to buy, which prospects/players should be available?

Evan Anderson(@evanofficial_):

Any prospect rank 15 and below would be available for trade. I don’t see a super high profile player like Lindor traded. If a high profile player is available, the top 15 would open up.

Nick Lee(@NickLee51):

Morejon, Naylor, Arias, Cantillo, Head

Chris Spiering(@ChrisSpiering):

Ryan Weathers (prospect), Austin Hedges (catcher), Javy Guerra (relief pitcher), Josh Naylor (outfielder). 

Bobby Murphy(@bobbymurphy2000):

Owen Miller, Ryan Weathers, Tucupita Marcano

Alex Yeargan(@PadresAlex):

The players I would use in a trade would be mostly prospects that are blocked at the big league level. Any of the middle infield prospects not named Abrams should be available. Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jake Cronenworth are blocking several prospects, not to mention Jurickson Profar and Ty France aren’t likely to see any regular playing time at second base. Josh Naylor and Edward Oliveras aren’t being used in left field and should be available. It’s hard to see a path for Ryan Weathers and Joey Cantillo to get to the MLB team in the next few years. Although a lefty throwing 97 mph isn’t someone you trade away unless you really have to or need to. 

Jason Freund(@jasonfreund_):

Joey Lucchesi

Cal Quantrill

Adrian Morejon (#7 prospect)

Michel Baez (#8 prospect)

Austin Hedges

Ryan Weathers (#10 prospect)

Owen Miller (#13 prospect)

If you want to sell, which players should be available?

Evan Anderson(@evanofficial_):

Joey Lucchesi, Javy Guerra, and Luis Perdomo. Depending on the player we could receive, then Cal Quantrill. It comes down to the fact that they have potential, but with a playoff race, we don’t have the time to let them develop.

Alex Yeargan(@PadresAlex):

One player that comes to mind is Garrett Richards. Very good starting pitchers are hard to come by these days. Richards has shown a lot of the dominant stuff he had with the Angels. The Padres have many starting pitching prospects that negate the need to bring him back anyway. If A.J. Preller was comfortable making a playoff run without Richards, he should seriously consider cashing in. However, it’s unlikely he would return a top prospect being such a short season. But if the stars aligned, and Preller received an offer that blew him away, I could see the Padres trading Garrett Richards. 

As for non- hot take trade candidates Joey Lucchesi, Josh Naylor, and  Ty France could be “sell” candidates as well.

What players should the Padres target if buying?

Evan Anderson(@evanofficial_):

Giovanny Gallegos of the Cardinals or bullpen arms on struggling teams. The bullpen needs arms to help quickly.

Nick Lee(@NickLee51):

Trevor Rosenthal, Greg Holland, Mychal Givens, or Tony Watson. The Padres could use more reliable bullpen arms.

Chris Spiering(@ChrisSpiering):

Salvador Perez – San Diego’s biggest offensive concern comes from the catching position. With Francisco Meija hurt, and Hedges struggling, Perez is the perfect fit to reunite with buddy Eric Hosmer. Perez is batting .307 with four home runs this season. 

Trevor Rosenthal – The Padres need RHP bullpen help. Rosenthal is pitching lights out on a struggling team. The Royals could look to sell him for a prospect or two. He has a 0.87 ERA and six saves in as many attempts. In 10.1 innings pitched, he has 14 strikeouts. 

Adam Eaton – This an interesting name, but one that could really help the Padres. With the loss of Pham, San Diego needs one more outfield piece. Eaton is a vet that just won the World Series with Washington and is a lefty that can play all three outfield positions. He hits for contact and power and has a high motor when playing, and that will go perfect with how the Padres like to play the game. 

Bobby Murphy(@bobbymurphy2000):

Trevor Rosenthal, Keone Kela, and Mychal Givens. We need more bullpen help, especially with Yates’ and Pomeranz’s injuries.

 Christian Vasquez or Salvador Perez. We need stability at catcher after seeing our offensive struggles at the position. 

Alex Yeargan(@PadresAlex):

Preferably a proven bullpen arm with multiple years of team control should be at the top of the list. A second target may be a younger, although less proven pitcher, like Staumont from the Royals. He’s less proven, but throws very hard and is tough to hit off of. He’s also pre-arbitration with multiple years of team control and minor league options if necessary down the road.

A DH with power would be a nice pickup for the team. Preller would make a lot of fans, including myself, extremely happy to trade with the Indians to get Franmil Reyes back. However, it’s highly unlikely the Indians would even consider it, and they would likely ask for half the farm system for him. Unfortunately, it’s not going to happen. However, there are other hitters Preller could go after.

Jason Freund(@jasonfreund_):

Alex Colome (White Sox), Trevor Bauer (Cincinnati Reds), or Mychal Givens (Baltimore Orioles)

All of the players mentioned above are pitchers. With Kirby Yates likely to become a free agent after the season, San Diego needs to find a new closer. Colome is a harder sell due to the recent success of the White Sox, Baltimore may be more willing to sell as they continue to rebuild. Acquiring Bauer, however, all depends on how the Reds perform down the stretch and how much money he will command as a free agent. Bauer’s comments supporting Fernando Tatis Jr. seem to indicate that he would sign a contract to stay in San Diego if he were to be acquired, but that is hypothetical. By acquiring Colome and/or Givens, San Diego would drop a care package to a bullpen that desperately needs one while Bauer strengthens what is already a strong starting rotation.

What prospects/positions should the Padres target if selling?

Evan Anderson(@evanofficial_): Any pitchers. Many of the prospects in the farm pitching-wise are expected to graduate to the big leagues. Refilling that would be good.

Alex Yeargan(@PadresAlex):

Lower level, high upside prospects. Trading for lower-level prospects will reset some of the timelines for top prospects. Instead of a bunch of players being blocked and taken away in the Rule 5 draft, they can be traded away for younger prospects that won’t need protection. 

What do you expect from this current Padres team for the rest of the year?

Evan Anderson(@evanofficial_):

I think the Padres will make the playoffs. The schedule gets easier, and things are getting better after the losing streak.

Nick Lee(@NickLee51):

Around the same. Slightly over .500, finishing with a playoff berth.

Chris Spiering(@ChrisSpiering):

I expect this team to keep playing hard and shock the world. 

Bobby Murphy(@bobbymurphy2000):

Above .500 baseball to end the season. I expect them to make the playoffs, hopefully as the 2nd place team in the NL West. 

Alex Yeargan(@PadresAlex):

Lots of tense games. Unless there are serious changes to the bullpen, the team will not be comfortable with any lead, but the flip side is they will never feel out of a game due to the firepower of the lineup. 

Jason Freund(@jasonfreund_):

Playoffs. There is no other answer. With superstar caliber players in Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado, a Rookie of the Year candidate in Jake Cronenworth, Dinelson Lamet and Chris Paddack looking just as sharp as last year and with national attention finally getting put on San Diego, it is playoffs or bust for the Friars this year.

How important is it for the Padres to make the expanded playoffs?

Evan Anderson(@evanofficial_):

Getting into the playoffs will add a lot of confidence. The World Series might be out of reach with the Dodgers standing in the way. Next year the confidence could put the Padres ahead of the Dodgers.

Nick Lee(@NickLee51):

EXTREMELY important. End the drought. 

Chris Spiering(@ChrisSpiering):

Very important. This team is built to win, and with the extended playoffs, there is no reason to not be there with this talent. 

Bobby Murphy(@bobbymurphy2000):

Undoubtedly VERY important. The season would be a huge disappointment for our future plans if we missed it. 

Alex Yeargan(@PadresAlex):

It’s extremely important for the fan base and to give the young men playoff experience. However, if they do miss the playoffs, I don’t see anyone losing their job over it, the team has been extremely exciting to watch.

Jason Freund(@jasonfreund_):

Extremely important. With expanded playoffs, it will be hard not to make the playoffs, and with the Padres offense rolling on all cylinders, it is almost expected of them to make the playoffs. If they do not make the playoffs, there could be some changes made to both the Padres’ front office and coaching staff, starting with the general manager and manager.

How important is this deadline for general manager A.J. Preller?

Evan Anderson(@evanofficial_):

I think the expanded playoffs keep his seat warm. This COVID season is hard to predict, but Preller has the best chance yet to make the playoffs. He will be active as always and make some quality trades.

Nick Lee(@NickLee51):

Very important. It’s a weird, wacky year. 

Chris Spiering(@ChrisSpiering):

This is an important deadline because of the loss of Pham and Yates, two veterans who brought great value to this team. Preller needs some more help to solidify his chances at winning the 2020 World Series. 

Bobby Murphy(@bobbymurphy2000):

Not too important. Bullpen help would be nice, but don’t want to go all-in in a shortened season. 

Alex Yeargan(@PadresAlex):

All deadlines are important for A.J. Preller. He’s the most active GM and is always open to making his team better.

Jason Freund(@jasonfreund_):

This could be the “make-or-break” deadline for A.J. Preller. Pitching help is a necessity for Preller. Preller has himself a hoard of top prospects that other teams are eyeing, so it is finally time for him to parlay those prospects in trades for big-league talent.

Dominic Stearn

Dominic is a graduate of Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, with a bachelor’s degree in Sports Journalism. He also  is the producer and co-host of the “Padres EVT Podcast.”