Padres rumors: 3 trades San Diego should make next after acquiring Josh Hader
By Jake Oliver
The Padres traded for now-former Brewers closer Josh Hader on Monday. By no means should they be done ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.
The San Diego Padres made an explosive move on Monday morning by acquiring the best closer in the MLB, Josh Hader, from the Milwaukee Brewers.
They got the league leader in saves, hair flow, and a sweeping plethora of fastballs for none of their top prospects and two MLB relievers in Taylor Rogers and Dinelson Lamet. Now the Padres rumors are scorching hot with all kinds of players being connected to them.
It helps that the Padres have the most trade-happy GM in all of baseball in AJ Preller. He’s determined to make the playoffs and advance towards a World Series this year and the next. That’s what this move signifies.
These Padres rumors highlight 3 trades that the San Diego Padres need to make next after acquiring Josh Hader
Padres Rumors: Acquire the best bat on the market, Juan Soto
As Jeff Passan states below, the Padres could easily pull off a double trade for Josh Hader and generational talent Juan Soto. The Hader trade didn’t involve any big-name prospects or young players on the Padres roster.
That said: The Padres didn’t give up any of the main prospects they’ve been talking about in myriad other deals. C.J. Abrams, Robert Hassell III, James Wood and Jackson Merrill all remain, as does MacKenzie Gore. Could the Padres really pull off a Juan Soto-Josh Hader double?
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 1, 2022
If the Padres are serious about getting Soto, it will likely require almost every name listed in that tweet and some others that weren’t listed. He is under team control through 2024. He would give the Padres an elite left-handed outfield bat which is now their biggest need.
It’s already been reported that the Padres and Cardinals are likely the finalists for Soto, though you can’t discount the Dodgers or Rangers. Someone has to blink and meet the Nationals’ price since it’s clear he won’t be dealt unless that happens.
Perhaps the biggest plus for this trade is it relieves the pressure off of Machado who has been struggling a ton since hurting his ankle in June. Who knows when Tatis is back? The Padres getting Juan Soto would be a brilliant move and a desperate move. It’s a move to win in the next 3 years. Not winning a World Series will push the Padres down a cliff rapidly afterward.