Padres Rumors: MLB Insider Lays Out Friars’ Plan at Trade Deadline

The San Diego Padres entered this week with the hope that they could make up some ground in the National League wild-card race. But, after the first two games, it seems like the old habits are the same

The Padres split the first two games to the Pittsburgh Pirates to open their home stand, keeping them at four games below .500. With the trade deadline coming up next week, it’ll be hard to justify their plan to be buyers.

San Diego needs to toe the line between looking ahead to next season while still giving themselves a chance to make an unlikely run this year. This means potentially selling off some of their upcoming free agents.

MLB insider Ken Rosenthal gave some insight into the plans of the team going forward.

"So, could the Padres trade left-hander Blake Snell, a potential free agent who leads the majors in ERA, to exploit a market thin on quality starting pitchers? Sure, if such a deal brought back players who could help the team both now and in the future. The same logic could apply to closer Josh Hader, who also is set to hit the open market at the end of the season. The Padres could move Hader, add a starter either in return or in another trade and put Seth Lugo back in the bullpen."

Per The Athletic

The team knows it’s been a letdown of a year, but they also don’t want to admit defeat to their fans. It’s a fine line to be at but one that is their own reality.

"Like a number of clubs, the Padres are preparing for both buy and sell scenarios, or some combination of both. They still seem to be leaning toward buying, but their path likely will hinge on how they fare this week at home against the Pirates and Rangers, as well as what the market will bear."

Per The Athletic

If the first two games were any indication, it could spell the Friars being sellers. They would still have plenty of talent on the roster if they traded away Blake Snell and Josh Hader, so the Padres have some choices to make.

There also is plenty of time to mount a comeback in the standings, but it needs to happen quickly. The clock is ticking on their season. It will move into the lost category if they don’t act fast, making these next few games hold so much weight.