MLB Rumors: Padres fire sale, Cardinals upstaged, Yankees failure
By Mark Powell
MLB Rumors: Are the San Diego Padres selling Josh Hader and Blake Snell?
If the San Diego Padres are smart, they’ll at least consider selling off some of their expiring assets like starting pitcher Blake Snell and closer Josh Hader. Both players are two of the best pitchers available at next week’s MLB trade deadline, and if paired together could land a haul that would make the White Sox-Angels deal from Wednesday night look small.
Hader was acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers in 2022. After initially struggling in San Diego to the tune of a 5.22 ERA in 56 games, he has settled down to emerge as one of the best relief pitchers in the sport once again. Snell is having one of the best seasons of his career, sporting a 2.61 ERA in 21 starts so far. He’s an NL Cy Young candidate for a reason, and could be the workhorse a contending team needs to make a postseason push.
The only issue with potentially selling is A.J. Preller, who is one of the most recognizable general managers in the sport. Preller is a wizard at roster construction, but he sits in an unusual position. The Padres are well out of the NL Wild Card race, and it would take a miracle to catch the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West. Despite the names on the roster — much to Preller’s credit — it’s been a disappointing year. Does it really make sense to go for it?
Several teams who have spoken with the #Padres in recent days believe that All-Star closer Josh Hader and former Cy Young winner Blake Snell will be traded, particularly Hader.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 27, 2023
The struggling Padres (49-54) are in 7th place in the wild-card race, 6.5 games out of a playoff spot.
There are differing reports seemingly daily about San Diego’s intentions, and much relies on how they play leading up to next Tuesday.