The Padres are engaged in active trade discussions regarding catcher Nick Hundley, reports Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Hundley, 30, has seen only limited action this year.
Hundley is in the final year of his three-year, $9MM extension, which comes with a $5MM club option for 2015 (no buyout). He has lost playing time to both 25-year-old Yasmani Grandal and journeyman Rene Rivera. With the club facing a looming active roster crunch, it appears that it is testing the market for a player who once was the team’s primary backstop.
Hundley’s best year came in 2011, when he posted a .288/.347/.477 line with 9 home runs in 308 plate appearances. He signed his extension before the following season, but has compiled only a .211/.267/.348 line since. He is, however, off to a solid start in just 21 plate appearances in 2014, with a .333/.333/.619 line.
Several teams could conceivably be interested in adding Hundley, who makes a relatively modest $4MM this year. The fact that he has a risk-free option for next year is also attractive, as it conveys upside if he turns things around. Of course, his recent track record is such that San Diego could need to contribute cash in a trade, if they hope to receive much value in return, as Lin notes.
could one of them be the Dodgers
Rangers…….for Mitch
Done!!
That’s a pretty high price for a displaced catcher who has only received 21 plate appearances all season. It shouldn’t take too awful much to obtain Hundley if the Rangers also take on his entire salary.
Would be nice if the Giants traded for him, which would let Hector Sanchez get some much-needed development in AAA.
Doubt the Padres would trade Hundley within the division.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Arizona acquire him. He was a former 2nd round pick by Towers back in 2005, and he would make for a good platoon partner with Montero. Given Hundley isn’t a game changer, I doubt the Padres wouldn’t be open to trade him within the division, as long as they get a decent piece back.
That’s a good point. And with the way the Dbacks are playing, (I can’t believe I’m about to state this) Hundley might be……. an improvement *gasp*.
arizona? cubs? miami?…
tigers?
Miami spent a lot of money on Salty, so I wouldn’t think they would be interested. The other 3 teams you mentioned would make sense however.
Cubs have no use for a mediocre catcher in which they would have to trade a minor leaguer for.
White Sox?
I like Nick. He’s a great clubhouse guy. Unfortunately, he’s the odd man out. Rivera is the favorite of Cashner and Ross. Grandal is the starter. Hedges is the future. If we could get a prospect for him (preferably a middle infielder), its a win. I know we won’t get anyone highly touted, but if we could get someone with a little upside, I’d be all for it.
I could see him going to Detroit as the back up to Avila. Ausmus and Nick have the SD connection. I don’t know much about Holaday, so not sure how much better Hundley is to him.
Holaday hasn’t shown he can hit in the majors yet, and he probably never will hit very much. Hundley would be a decent and needed upgrade, especially with Avila not doing too well.
While Hundley isn’t anyone’s ideal starting catcher, he would be a good back up catcher somewhere. He’s experienced, fairly durable, and does a decent job stopping the ball. He’s terrible at throwing out guys at second and he’s not a big threat at the plate. I can see him getting traded to a team in the division..