Padres Showcasing Headley?

The Padres called up Double A third baseman Chase Headley today, and he'll start against the Cubs.  There are many reasons for the cup of coffee: he's raking, Kevin Kouzmanoff is hurting, and Bud Black doesn't like Russell Branyan.

I think there may be one additional reason Headley is getting a look: he's being showcased for a trade.  That's pure speculation on my part, but as far as I can tell Headley is the Padres' best expendable trading chip.  He's a solid third baseman and he's in the midst of a power breakout this year.  Of course, the Padres could keep both players and move Kouzmanoff to left field one day.

If the Padres are to get involved for a big-name slugger like Jermaine Dye or Adam Dunn, Headley's name will come up.  The White Sox and Reds don't actually need a third baseman, but players can be moved around.   

Comments

[biprobertsstilltheman]

although headley is our best trading bait i doubt this is a showcase, with kouz recent defensive struggles, it would be smart to try him out in left and bring this kid up and let him play, in my eyes he is the real deal but we have hoped that to be true with every third baseman since caminati. so hopefully this is just his chance to prove to us that he can do it. kt don't trade this headley. we have another third baseman in the minors who is playing equally as well in freese at lake elsinore try to trade him

[bravesbeast]

I do think Towers, even though the main intention is because he is their best option at third base, is a least giving teams a glance a what headley could do, because maybe some team would be willing to overpay for headly. However, I do think that towers will be reluctant to trade him unless he is just blown away with an offer. The reason being is that the padres have the financial leverage to take a run at a big time slugger in the offseason while also keeping headley. I know this is kind of like saying the padres may wanna just not improve this year and go with what they got, but I would hold on to headley in the hopes that you could land someone in the offseason. And i still do not think dunn is the best option in san diego, unless they could get dunn for just a reliever, as relief is their strength. I think the padres need to play to their ballpark, and not rely on power, but first address the fact thay they need a few high average guys as well,

[WestCoastBias]

I know it would leave Khalil without a backup but if Kevin Kouzmanoff really is day to day as announced, I'm praying that this leads to the release of Geoff Blum. He's a deadweight who comes to the surface for just long enough for Black and Towers to think he's productive.

It's crazy how under-utilized Russell Branyan is. This guy has played a crucial role in 4 victories this year, the most recent being his out of nowhere stolen base against the Dodgers.

The real question is how they shape the roster with Kouz & Headley both in. It'll make sense for them to demote McAnulty or Bocachica with the other going back down when/if Giles comes back. If Giles ends up out for a solid amount of time, I'd love to see Headley at 3B and Kouz & Cruz in the corners with Kouz splitting time with Sledge.

[WestCoastBias]

The official Padres roster on MLB.com has McAnulty as the casualty. Good riddance. That guy's a clear AAAA player.

[DentalPlan]

" Good riddance. That guy's a clear AAAA player."

Just like JACK CUST right? Ha ha ha. I'm just kidding. Despite the general sentiment, I think Jack Cust is Chris Shelton 2007. That's right kids, you heard me. Chris Shelton 2007.