The Padres and Orioles match up well in a potential big trade
The Baltimore Orioles and San Diego Padres match up well in a potential blockbuster deal.Â
The San Diego Padres are sitting back and itching to make a move.
You just get that sense from A.J. Preller, as the team is eerily quiet right now on the transaction front. Despite the fact the Padres possess several holes in the starting lineup, the team has made no major additions to the current roster. Kyle Higashioka was allowed to leave via free agency, and there are no reports that the team is discussing contracts with Ha-Seong Kim or Jurickson Profar. Both men will likely leave San Diego as well.
There will be changes in 2025, but we do not know how the Padres will improve the team on a budget.
The team will cut payroll slightly and must do so while adding relevant players to the current roster. This is no easy task.
A lot of their future depends on where Japanese superstar Roki Sasaki signs this winter. The new international signing period starts on January 15, and most suspect that Sasaki will sign after as he will make more money and have better options when it comes to suitors.
The Padres are confident that Sasaki will sign in San Diego.
Upon his agreement to play with the Padres, a trickle-down effect will surely take place.
Dylan Cease will likely be the chosen trade chip, though the Padres could technically move Michael King as well. Starting pitching is at a premium right now, and both right-handed pitchers are bargains in terms of their salary. But why would the Padres trade pitching that is being underpaid? It comes down to the budget.
There will be no shortage of suitors for Cease, who is one of the most durable pitchers in the league. Even though he is in the last year of his contract, the Padres should still fetch a decent return for the 29-year-old pitcher, especially when you factor in the current market price.
Enter- The Baltimore Orioles.
Corbin Burnes just signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and it is no secret that the Orioles need pitching.
Not just a young pitcher with upside, either. They need top-of-the-rotation-type pitchers who can take them far into the playoffs. Cease may have failed at that very task last season, but he comes with the reputation of eating innings and striking batters out. Cease is a borderline ace. And there are very few pitchers worthy of that moniker. He may not replace Burnes entirely, but he will help soften the loss.
The Padres’ main issue is getting multiple players for their trade pieces. With the Orioles, they may be able to add young outfield help that is under team control. They could also add a few prospects who are major league-ready. Players that could contribute in 2025 for the Padres playoff run.
Looking over the Orioles roster, one can see that they presently have an excess of outfielders. For the Padres, that is something they covet right now.
Tyler O’Neill was signed by the Orioles this winter. Baltimore also has Heston Kjerstad, Colton Cowser, Ryan O’Hearn, and Cedric Mullins on the roster. Young outfielders Daz Cameron and Dylan Beavers are also young and ready for playing time. There is depth in the position for the Orioles.
For the Padres, Kjerstad makes a lot of sense. The left-handed hitter can also play first base, which is beneficial to the Padres. He is also under team control through the 2030 season and isn’t due for arbitration until 2028. There is potential with the bat, although his defense in left field is shaky at best.
Chase McDermott also makes sense if the Padres are looking for a pitching prospect in return for Cease. McDermott is 26 and a power pitcher with a plus curve and slider mix. Command has always been his issue, and perhaps Ruben Niebla could unlock something in the elder prospect.
Lastly, old friend Blake Hunt would round out this deal for the Padres. Hunt is stuck in Triple-A, and with the Orioles signing of Gary Sanchez, there is no space for him at the major league level. The former Padres draft pick in 2017 (second round) was traded to the Rays and also spent time in the Mariners organization. Hunt was recalled last year when James McCann inured himself, but never got into action and has technically yet to debut in the majors. Hunt would give the Padres catching depth—something they desperately need.
The proposed deal would be Dylan Cease and Eguy Rosario for Heston Kjerstad, Chase McDermott, Blake Hunt, and a prospect (I’ll let A.J. pick a 16-17-year-old from the DSL League).
The Padres would shed over $10 million in this deal and potentially add three players to the 2025 roster. Kjerstad would be an everyday player, but McDermott has an outside chance to secure a rotation spot. Hunt could pay immediate dividends behind the plate until Ethan Salas is ready.
It will take creative moves like this for the Padres to remain competitive. If McDermott can produce 75% of what Cease does in 2025, this is a major win for the Padres. It would not be unheard of for him to outproduce the veteran arm as his ability is unknown. In that same regard, McDermott may never be a fraction of what Cease is as a pitcher in the majors. The risk is something the Padres will need to take; They must trust their scouting as they attempt to find players who are presently unheralded.
It will take a few deals along the lines of this for the Padres to add to the roster while subtracting.
A few high-priced veterans will be purged for lower-cost players with potential. The Padres scout well throughout the minor leagues, so there could be some meaningful additions made before the spring. Stay tuned. A.J. Preller is on the prowl.
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.