MLB trade rumors: One player each team should target

PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 27: Andrew McCutchen #22 of the Pittsburgh Pirates catches a ball hit by Wilson Ramos #40 of the Tampa Bay Rays (not pictured) during the sixth inning at PNC Park on June 27, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

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TORONTO, CANADA – JULY 27: Brad Hand #52 of the San Diego Padres delivers a pitch in the seventh inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays on July 27, 2016 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

San Diego Padres: Jesus Luzardo

The Padres do not have much to offer on the trade market, which is a function of their selling off almost everything over the past two years. Their best remaining trade chip is reliever Brad Hand. As has been repeated ad nauseam, the Nationals need a closer. They need more than just one reliever though. It’s so bad in D.C. that the Nats are giving Francisco Rodriguez a chance to pitch for them. That’s desperation.

There are some comical reports out on what the Padres think they can get for Hand. They reportedly asked the Yankees for Gleyber Torres. Shooters shoot, but A.J. Preller is overplaying his hand if he thinks he’s landing a top prospect for a reliever with no closing experience.

Hand is worth one prospect in the organizational 5-10 range and another mid-range prospect. If the Padres get into talks with the Nationals, one pitcher they could eye is Jesus Luzardo. The left-hander had Tommy John surgery last March, but is back on the mound already. Prior to surgery, Luzardo had begun pumping his fastball up to 97 mph before being drafted out of high school.

Luzardo will have to be brought along slowly, but he easily profiles as a mid-rotation starter. He may never be an ace, but has a good curveball and changeup to back up his fastball. That arsenal, combined with a good sinking fastball, will play well in Petco Park.

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