Today, I will take a look at what NL teams may be possible trade partners for the Padres and who may be a fit.
NL West: Arizona is the only team that I could imagine possibly trading with the Padres at this point.
ARIZONA:
Starting Pitching: I don't see anyone as a fit now that Haren is gone. Kennedy is likely not available and Edwin Jackson(despite a no hitter) is not an upgrade on anything the Padres have in house, i.e. might as well keep Correia.
Outfield: Chris Young could be a good fit and $$ wouldn't be an issue. Would the Dbacks part with him? Would be costly. I like Parra but I don't see him as an upgrade to what the Padres already have.
Infield: Of Kelly Johnson and Steven Drew, Johnson would be more likely to be available. I think Drew would cost the Padres more prospects than they would be willing to part with. Both players would represent a likely upgrade and pad the middle infield depth.
Reality: Kelly Johnson is the only Dback that I see as a realistic possibility
NL East: Washington and Florida
FLORIDA:
Starting Pitching: I don't see the Marlins making any of their starters available. They are young and controllable and the Marlins are not too far from contending. Nolasco would cost the Padres more than they are willing to surrender.
Outfield: Cody Ross is a possibility but would represent only a marginal improvement on in house players such as Denorfia. If the Marlins are willing to sell low then maybe.
Infield: Uggla would represent an offensive upgrade for sure. Despite rumblings that Florida is unwilling to trade Uggla, I think the right price could convince them.
Reality: The Marlins are an unlikely trade partner as they see themselves not far from contention and do not want to throw away next season.
WASHINGTON:
Starting Pitching: Livan Hernandez would be that innings eater the Padres are looking for to limit Latos down the stretch.
Outfield: Willingham would be an excellent fit for Padres. Definite offensive upgrade and his contract is not too prohibitive. I will throw Dunn in on the outfield list simply because there is no way he plays more then 3 games at 1b with Adrian on the team. Dunn would be huge for the batting lineup, but where do you play him? Owed more money than the Padres are likely willing to pay and Washington is going to want 2 top prospects for him.
Infield: I don't see any infield fits.
Reality: The Padres should be in serious talks for Willingham and possibly for Hernandez.
NL Central: Chicago, Milwaukee, Houston, and Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH: I don't see Pittsburgh as a likely trading partner unless they make Maholm available. I suspect Pittsburgh wants to start building around a core of young players. Pittsburgh would be a very costly team to trade with at this point.
MILWAUKEE:
Starting Pitching: Dave Bush and Randy Wolf are possibilities, but I don't see either as an upgrade to the rotation.
Outfield: Corey Hart would be an offensive upgrade, but I don' t like the Idea of buying high.
Infield: Ricky Weeks intrigues me. I wonder what the Brewers would want for him? Counsell would simply be depth.
Reality: Milwaukee is an unlikely trading partner unless Weeks is made available at a reasonable cost.
CHICAGO:
Starting Pitching: Gorzelanny would be cheap but not much of an upgrade. The Padres wouldn't touch Zambrano. Dempster, Lilly, and Silva all cost too much. Unless Chicago eats salary and is motivated to move Dempster or Lilly, I don't see this happening.
Outfield: Byrd and Nady are both possibilities depending on what the Cubs want in return. Soriano and Fukudome are unlikely for the same reason as Lilly.
Infield: Fontenot and Theriot are both possibilities. However, I suspect the Cubs would want more in return than what these players are worth. Both are relatively cheap and why would the Cubs be motivated to move either unless they were wooed with a good prospect package.
Reality: The Cubs are a definite possibility as they have several players that could be made available.
HOUSTON:
Starting Pitching: If the Padres were serious about WS contention they would attempt to get a guy like Oswalt. He could put them over the top. The Padres are cheap and I just don't see them parting with prospects.
Outfield: I don't see the Astros parting with Bourne or Pence unless a team overpays. I just don't see either as enough of an upgrade to warrant the Padres overpaying. Carlos Lee is a possibility only if the Astros eat a ton of money.
Infield: Keppinger looks like he could be a great fit. He is cheap, productive and a definite upgrade. I have a feeling though the Astros would ask for Cabrera or Castro in return.
Reality: Keppinger could be a real nice grab for the Padres if the Astros are willing to sell at a reasonable cost.
Conclusions on the NL trade market: Willingham and Keppinger would help this lineup immensely. Not a lot of starting pitching available that the Padres could realistically go after.
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