If you ever believe you’ve got a handle on A.J. Preller and the San Diego Padres’ next move, you might want to consider seeking immediate psychiatric assistance. This franchise has consistently defied expectations, making unexpected maneuvers for the past couple of years. The recent acquisition of Luis Arraez in early May only adds to this unpredictable trend.
However, what’s evident from their recent trades for both Arraez and Dylan Cease, just before embarking on their season in South Korea, is that the Padres are far from ready to give up on 2024. Despite hovering around the .500 mark, they’re a team with clear playoff aspirations, signaling that there’s likely more activity ahead for Preller and his team.
Given this context, the task at hand is to propose three feasible trades that could propel the Padres out of their current state of uncertainty and into contention for the postseason. Besides expecting better performances from their high-priced talent, the team requires significant reinforcement in the pitching department and could benefit from an additional outfield bat. Here are three potential moves to address these needs:
Acquire White Sox SP Erick Fedde
Preller and the Padres have already had success trading with the White Sox earlier this spring, so why not make another deal? Erick Fedde has experienced a resurgence in his career since returning from the Korean Baseball Organization, boasting a 2.60 ERA in nine starts with 2.2 bWAR, placing him tied for fifth among all MLB starters.
Despite the high expectations for the Padres’ rotation this season, it has failed to meet its potential thus far. Joe Musgrove struggled significantly before landing on the injured list, Michael King has been inconsistent, and as a knuckleballer, Matt Waldron’s performances are inherently unpredictable.
Acquiring Fedde would likely require giving up at least one, possibly two, of their top ten prospects. However, it would be a worthwhile investment as the Padres would have him for the remainder of this year and the entirety of 2025. Offering a package including the eighth and eleventh prospects, Homer Bush Jr. and Brandon Valenzuela, would be a favorable outcome for San Diego if Chicago accepts.
Acquire Blue Jays RP Yimi García
The struggles of the Toronto Blue Jays are seen as advantageous by other teams eyeing contention in 2024. Should the Jays opt to sell, they possess numerous assets that could attract buyers such as the San Diego Padres, with star reliever Yimi García likely being among the first to be sought after. Interestingly, his name is pronounced “Jimmy,” despite the unconventional spelling with a “Y,” which adds a touch of flair.
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García, who had been a journeyman throughout his decade-long career, has unexpectedly emerged as one of the top setup men in the league while playing for Toronto this season. His remarkable statistics, boasting a 0.53 ERA and 0.58 WHIP over 17 innings, along with a chase rate in the 100th percentile and a strikeout rate in the 97th percentile, underscore his effectiveness. What sets him apart is his rare six-pitch repertoire, a rarity for a reliever, all of which have contributed to his success in 2024.
Despite the Padres already having solid bullpen contributors, notably closer Robert Suarez whose performance closely matches García’s, adding another high-caliber arm like García’s is always beneficial. Acquiring García would provide manager Mike Shildt with a plethora of late-game options. As a true rental player, he shouldn’t demand more than a mid-tier prospect from the Padres.
Acquire Nationals OF Eddie Rosario
The Padres’ outfield situation seems promising currently, largely due to Jurickson Profar unexpectedly emerging as one of MLB’s standout players this season. However, Profar’s history of inconsistency adds an element of uncertainty, compounded by the team’s lack of depth in outfield bench options. This is where Eddie Rosario of the Washington Nationals comes into play. Rosario’s ability to step in as a starter when needed and contribute as a switch-hitting pinch-hitter adds valuable flexibility to the lineup.
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Despite a rocky start to the season, Rosario has significantly improved his performance lately. Since May 4th, he has posted impressive stats, hitting 13-for-36 with four home runs, resulting in an outstanding 1.230 OPS. If he maintains this momentum, his batting average is likely to rise above .200, making him an attractive prospect for many teams, especially given his reputation for delivering clutch home runs during postseason play.
Moreover, Rosario is available as a short-term option, as the Nationals acquired him with the intention of trading him to a contender. Therefore, acquiring him shouldn’t require sacrificing top prospects, possibly similar to what the Padres might offer for Garcia. San Diego has a history of being open to trading prospects, so the move could make sense for both parties. Perhaps Rosario will once again work his postseason magic in a Padres uniform.
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