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.
Padres Rumors: Go get Ian Happ and Willson Contreras
As mentioned before, the Padres need a left-handed hitting outfielder. Their lineup skews too right-hand-heavy and is full of just bland outfielders. Trent Grisham, Wil Meyers, Nomar Mazara, and Jurickson Profar aren’t getting the job done.
So, they go get Ian Happ from the Cubs. He’s an All-Star player that is under control for 2023 too. He has plenty of power, and contact ability, and has proven to be an above-average regular for the Cubs. The best part is he comes insanely cheaper than Juan Soto does.
Happ could take over left field for the Padres and give them some much-needed offensive boost to a lineup with a struggling duo of Hosmer/Machado and a missing Tatis. They could add even more firepower if they pull off a double trade with the Cubs and acquire the big bat of Willson Contreras.
Willson might not catch much for whatever new team he goes to which is okay for the Padres. They have multiple other reliable catchers like Austin Nola. The good news is that Willson knows how to play first or DH. He could take over as the everyday first baseman for Eric Hosmer or shove Luke Voit to first and he becomes the DH. Either way, the Padres’ offense is vastly improved with Contreras in their lineup.
He brings solid right-handed power, a great eye at the plate, and playoff experience to a lineup with not much in the terms of playoff experience. He’s only a rental so his price will be markedly lower than Happ or Soto. Still, they could get Happ and Contreras for cheaper than Soto.
Padres Rumors: Joey Gallo should be shipped to San Diego
We’ve heard all the jokes about just how bad Joey Gallo has been at the plate in a Yankees uniform. Get this man a one-way ticket out of the Bronx, please.
This Padres rumor makes sense for a multitude of reasons. AJ Preller was with the Rangers front office when he was drafted by them. The Padres have tried many times to acquire the talented outfielder. They are on the hunt once again for Gallo.
Gallo still has the amazing power from Texas as 12 of his 37 hits this year are home runs. No Padres current outfielder has an even remote chance of comparing to Gallo’s power. He has walked 40 times too which shows that he is seeing the ball somewhat well.
Yet, one of the biggest reasons the Padres should go acquire him is for his defense. Prior to the Yankees, Gallo was a terrific defender in the outfield. He still is to a degree with the Yankees. Myers isn’t known for his defense at all. Mazara has been a liability in the outfield. Profar is just okay. Gallo could improve their defense a lot.
Gallo is extremely cheap to acquire. The Yankees are selling him at his lowest value. They could get Soto and probably Gallo as the cherry on top. Or they could trade for Happ, Contreras, and Gallo. Gallo is pure upside.