Padres Rumors: Writer Proposes Trade to Send Josh Hader to NL’s Best Team
The Padres are in a weird position with the trade deadline coming up next week.
They're 10 games out of first place in the NL West, and six out of the final wild card spot as of Tuesday, but the Padres could still play the part of buyers ahead of the August 1st deadline, nonetheless.
Also at play here is the question of what happens if they continue their slide down the standings in the next few days.
Even though general manager AJ Preller remained optimistic as far as San Diego's playoff chances in a recent interview, he did leave the door open for a potential sale if the situation called for it.
One thing the Padres have no shortage of is star power, and if they do opt to engage in a fire sale at the deadline, a lot of current Friars will have a plethora of potential suitors.
And Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report put together a prospective trade that would see Hader dealt to the Atlanta Braves, in exchange for pitching prospect Darius Vines and infielder Ignacio Alvarez.
Here's what he had to say about the potential swap:
"Hader is a terrific closer, but his looming free agency and hefty $14.1 million salary undercut his value somewhat.
"This would nonetheless be a solid upside play for the Padres. Though neither is top 100 material right now, Vines has struck out 21 of the 55 batters he’s faced since returning from shoulder inflammation and Alvarez has a .409 OBP at High-A." (via Bleacher Report)
While both Alvarez and Vines have the potential to turn into quality prospects down the line, I don't see the Padres accepting that trade for a top-level closer, contract constraints or not.
Vines has pitched well this season, but isn't on track to hit the majors this year, and although Alvarez has raked at High-A, he's still a few years from MLB consideration.
If the Padres were to trade Hader, it would have to be for a significantly better package than that hypothetical offer.
