The Padres are in Chicago for a 3-game series against the Cubs, so this is a good time to check in on the wheeling and dealing ways of A.J. Preller.
It's no secret the Padres are looking for a few more pieces to their puzzle, specifically at shortstop. The Friars have been rumored to have interest in Chicago All-Star Starlin Castro. Of course, San Diego has also been rumored to be in on Rangers SS Elvis Andrus, Nationals SS Ian Desmond and Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki.
Basically, if you have a shortstop, expect A.J. to be giving you a call. Or, at least, expect someone to assume A.J. will be giving you a call and report it, because for general managers (and media members) around baseball, Preller has become the Boogeyman.
The Padres' first-year G.M. has turned baseball on its ear. First he moved 30 players in a 24-hour period in December. Then he plucked Craig Kimbrel out of Atlanta on the day before the season started. Now that he's in the market for a shortstop, the other 29 MLB teams are likely on high alert.
Now, the Padres will be mentioned when any player becomes available. Even if they have zero interest in acquiring that player, the impact with which Preller landed in San Diego has created such a crater, we all HAVE to look at the Padres as a possibility.
One proposed trade partner is the Cubs, who have Castro plus prospects Javier Baez and Addison Russell in the pipeline. Chicago's President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein has been characteristically cryptic about his team's immediate future. He said all his top prospects can be on the field at the same time because they can move to other positions. He also said big trades could be coming.
Chicago would likely be looking for pitching help in return, and unless they're willing to take some top-notch relievers (something the Padres are flush with) they likely won't get a starter from San Diego. The Padres dealt Matt Wisler, their top pitching prospect, to the Braves in the Kimbrel deal.
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It's tantalizing to think the Padres could add another impact bat to the lineup, especially at a middle infield spot, and if anyone can find a way to work out a deal it's Preller. However, something surprising has happened early in 2015:
The Padres aren't as desperate for a shortstop as it seemed they were.
Alexi Amarista is probably best used as a utility player. Ditto Clint Barmes. But through 11 games the duo has combined to hit .289 with five runs scored and two errors (both by Barmes). That's not setting the world on fire, but a lot of National League teams will gladly take that from their 8th spot in the order.
Now, I'm not saying it's good enough to win a championship. But it is good enough to give Preller time to work. Plus, if it looks like the Padres are going after a player because it's a luxury instead of a necessity, it changes the asking price from other clubs.
So the Padres might not leave Wrigley Field with a new team mate. But they could very well leave with a series win, and that's much more important.
