The Padres Could Both Buy and Sell This Deadline
Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
There are a lot of factors at play here for the Padres this year.
The following prospects are currently in the top 30 of most rankings that need to be on the 40-man roster before the end of the year to avoid the Rule 5 draft: Luis Urias, Austin Allen, Chris Paddack, Anderson Espinoza, Jacob Nix, Trey Wingenter and Pedro Avila. There are a number of other interesting names just outside of that group that are in jeopardy as well but the fact is, the Padres will have some tough decisions as they attempt to keep the talent acquired over the past four years and could lead to an interesting next two months, as they search for 40-man spots.
Since A.J. Preller took over the job of General Manager in 2014, he has been no stranger to acquiring talent of all shapes and sizes. This season will prove this to an even greater extent because as the Padres approach the non-waiver trade deadline, the Padres may be in a position to be both buyers and sellers.
Preller is not a stranger to both acquiring Major League talent and selling it, so let’s look at possible returns for the Major League Talent currently on the Padres 40-man roster and rather than focus on particular players, we will go by position and dissect some ideas that could possibly benefit the team now and down the road.
Outfielders
This is arguably the strongest depth for the Padres at the upper levels with players like Wil Myers, Manuel Margot, Franchy Cordero, Hunter Renfroe, Travis Jankowski, and Franmil Reyes all contributing at the Major League level at some point this year.
In the past, Preller has moved outfielders to acquire all-stars, veterans, up-and-coming talent, prospects and minor league depth. With this group, excluding Myers, Margot or Cordero for the moment, a return like he got from the Melvin Upton trade is not out of the realm of possibilities, especially for a guy like Jankowski. Although Hansel Rodriguez is not in our top 30 prospects, he was 19th at the time of the deal for the Blue Jays and has potential to pitch in San Diego. Jankowski has shown an ability to hit lead-off while playing a great outfield at all three spots, similar to what Upton did for the Padres. This move would open up one spot for the 40-man roster.
As for Reyes and Renfroe, they will be discussed a little further down.
Doing some late night homework, found this video of Hansel Rodriguez from when he was a Blue Jay prospect.
Padres Prospect Hansel Rodriguez vs. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. https://t.co/BO2jka92rJ via @YouTube
— Patrick Cusick (@TheProfessorPQ) June 14, 2018
Middle Infielders
For this group, Preller’s best course of action should be something similar to the Yangervis Solarte trade. Solarte, was under control for multiple years and though Freddy Galvis is a free agent at the end of the year, Jose Pirela is under contract through the 2022 season.
In return, the Padres could receive a younger, talented, high upside prospect like they did when they got outfielder Edward Olivares who immediately moved into the top 30 rankings. Galvis and Pirela could get a return like this, especially for teams in the play-off hunt looking for veteran players, who can play at a high level at multiple positions.
Relief Pitchers
For the Padres, the bullpen has been a wonderful surprise this year. Guys like Craig Stammen, Brad Hand and Kirby Yates were not a big surprise due to past representations but some of the younger guys like Phil Maton, Adam Cimber and Matt Strahm have performed tremendously in big situations. Any of the six of them should produce a big return if the Padres go seeking it.
All of the players mentioned above are long term assets for the Padres which only increases the return that the Padres should get here. Nobody wants to trade an asset like above but the Padres have the fortunate ability to trade from depth here. In the past, Preller has done a good job of trading relief pitchers for value here – Fernando Rodney, Joaquin Benoit, Ryan Buchter and Brandon Maurer to name a few – and he most certainly will do it again here. Before the deadline last year most were shocked when Buchter and Maurer were moved, so fans should not be blown away when Preller makes a move in the coming months. A trade here will benefit both the now and the future as the Padres look to free a 40-man spot.
Starting Pitchers
Tyson Ross is a name from the past that was not expected to make the team at the start of Spring Training, yet here he is, arguably our best starter as the season progresses. It would be a shocking development if he is still a Padre come August. The value for Ross right now is at its peak and the veteran right-hander is a must get for any team looking to make a run.
The return for Ross could get something back like the return in the James Shields trade. At the time, Tatis was not even ranked in the top 100 prospects but the Padres saw the potential. The fact is, had the White Sox known they had a potential top ten prospect, he probably would not have been moved in that deal, but Preller made the move hoping the upside would pan out. A move like that for Ross is not out of the question. The prospect returned may not be a glowing prospect now but look for the Padres to find a young high ceiling prospect here.
Since he was a little kid he wanted to be one of those guys at the game who had the headset on, listening to the Colonel and Uncle Teddy, he has grown out of that, but the love is still there. Padres’ coverage will be biased at times, but mostly an honest dissection of the team he loves.
I doubt Pirela would bring back anything of value. His stats are underwhelming: 260 hitter, no power, subpar fielding and base running. Same thing for Spang, who is now in his 5th year with the major league club. Time to cut the cord on both, and look at some other options, either in AAA or in trade.
The title had it right, but then you sort of drifted away from the idea.
What should the Padres try to accomplish this trading season?
1) Clean up the OF situation. 7 guys on the 40 man roster: Dickerson, Jankowski, Myers, Margot, Reyes, Cordero, and Renfroe. It was 8 before Szczur was DFA’d. Some of these guys have ML potential, but some do not. Dickerson is already 28, too late to be useful. Reyes is too much of a defensive adventure, seems like a definite AL player. Choose between Myers and Renfroe. Only one can play RF, the other should be traded while there is still trade value. If only due to the ridiculous contract Myers should be the odd man out. DFA Dickerson this November, keep Reyes in the minors, and trade Myers.
2) Clean up 2B. Pirela, Spangenberg, Asuaje. None of them really look like MLers. Keep the youngest, Asuaje, bring up Urias, and trade Spangenberg and Pirela.
3) Find someone to play 3B. After watching Villanueva for half a season it is clear he is not the guy. Already 27, overweight, poor defensively, pull happy, the pitchers have now caught on and he hasn’t adapted. Trade or demote Villanueva, try Asuaje at 3B and include a 3Bman in each trade made this year. Hand is certain to be dealt, if it’s to Philly make Maikel Franco part of that deal. He’s passable, which is a step up for the organization. If it’s to the NYY, the deal should include Andujar or Drury.
4) Target young MLers, not prospects, when trading pitchers. If the club is ever going to move forward it has to add MLers, not potential MLers. (see #3)
5) When this flurry of moves have been completed, bring up the kids. Let’s get a look, even a short one, at some of these prospects. Some will stick, some will not, but let’s hit the gas on churning the roster. Keeping the roster clogged with no-way players is pointless.
Myers is now the left fielder. Renfroe could be in RF but they clearly don’t like him enough to hand him the job like they have Margot in CF. It looks like Renfroe and Jankowski will share RF with Jankowski also playing the other two positions to spell Myers and Margot.
I don’t see the Padres being buyers in any major sense at the trade deadline. They will not be close to contending until 2020 at the earliest.
“As for Reyes and Renfroe, they will be discussed a little further down.”
You never got to them.