The free agent market for third basemen drops off after Aramis Ramirez, which is why Ben Nicholson-Smith highlighted potential trade candidates late last month. One of those trade candidates may not be available however, as sources tell Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that the Padres will be reluctant to move Chase Headley this offseason.
Headley, 27, projects to earn $3MM through arbitration this winter, his second time through the process as a Super Two. His .289/.374/.399 batting line in 2011 masks a drastic home/road split; the switch-hitter hit just .243/.348/.326 at Petco Park but .330/.399/.465 on the road. His career split is just as pronounced. The various advanced metrics rate Headley's defense as comfortably above-average at the hot corner.
The Marlins, Cubs, Tigers, Angels, and Rockies all figure to be in the market for third base help this offseason. Logan Forsythe and James Darnell both made their big league debuts in 2011, but retaining Headley would allow the Padres to be patient with the young duo. They've combined for just 373 plate appearances at the Triple-A level.
Chase Headley for Rick Porcello
Are you a Padre fan? I’m curious what Padres fans would think about this. I think both Headley and Porcello would both respectively dominate from this trade. No doubt Headley would benefit from his move to an explosive Tiger lineup, but Porcello would shine at Petco, but would also would look good pitching in the NL West plus is cheap.
I am a huge Tigers fan and i agree this would be a great trade for both teams…Headley needs to get out of Petco, sure Comerica isnt really a hitters park but i still think he could put up nice numbers here, especially possibly hitting 3rd right infront of the best hitter in the game, Miguel Cabrera…. Most Tiger fans have given up on Porcello, he is just too inconsistent, but is still just 23. He needs an actual pitching and pitching in Petco would make him shine, you are right.
“Most Tigers fans have given up on Porcello”? Did you take a poll? IMO Porcello should still be in the minors like all 23 year old pitchers that dont have dominant stuff. He still needs to learn how to pitch. And how would Petco bebefit him? He is a Gb pitcher. Making a trade for Headly would be nice but not for Porcello…
I am not sure of your thought that Miggy is “the best hitter in the game”. He is obviously uber eilte, but a guy named Pujols is the best hitter in the game.
That being said, I agree that a Porcello for Headley trade would benefit both teams.
pujols has been dethroned for a couple of seasons
As a padre fan, i would take that trade. Put Forsythe at third platoon him with darnell. Then next season move forsythe to second, darnell at third or Gyorko (depending on him). Win-win in my book, plus it’s a little cheaper on the pads which is always good.
Damn i wish we were the GM’s lol
As a Padre fan, I wish you and “the brain” were the GM’s as well. 🙂
If only man, i would turn the team around lol
I too am a Padre fan and I would also jump at this deal. If this deal did go down, it could open up talks of a Stauffer deal as well and then later in the year a Moseley or Richard deal when Erlin or Kelly make their debut. I haven’t given up on Rizzo like many Padre fans have, so I would rather see Guzmans’ bat at 3rd, even if it means poor defense until Gyorko is ready, hopefully by 2013.
I’m a Padre fan and this is a terrible deal (and this is coming from someone who doesn’t care for Headley). Porcello is not a very good pitcher. He doesn’t have very good stuff, which means he has to pitch to contact to an extreme. I think his style and approach to pitching just results in lots of base runners in PetCo and, ultimately, lots of runs. This deal makes no sense for the Padres because Headley has some upside in the right park/lineup, but Porcello has limited (if any) upside.
Are you a Padre fan? I’m curious what Padres fans would think about this. I think both Headley and Porcello would both respectively dominate from this trade. No doubt Headley would benefit from his move to an explosive Tiger lineup, but Porcello would shine at Petco, but would also would look good pitching in the NL West plus is cheap.
It is an interesting suggestion; but, the Padres have plenty of starting pitching. I would prefer to aquire something of a bigger need like a SS or a solid RF.
you can never have too much pitching, but i see what your saying. However, the Padres are not gonna find their long term SS by trading headley due to the fact that good SS are commodities. As for the Rf, we have long term answers coming through our system we just need a short term answer for the next couple of seasons.
Wow. Those splits are really pronounced. It’s like a reverse CarGo.
only not as good both ways
Yeah. It was more a reference to the .100+ difference in every category than the exact numbers.
I’m sure their away numbers are pretty similar. The home numbers are the ones that are miles apart.
yeah, I have to admit I made that statement without double checking first. I coulda sworn that last time I checked CarGo was good for an away OPS in the neighborhood of .825, but I must’ve confused him with someone else.
Headley still hits well above average AT Petco.
Most people dont realize just how hard Petco is on hitters.
last year he hit almost exactly average at petco (101 wRC+), but the previous two seasons well below (86, 83)
Headley still hits well above average AT Petco.
Most people dont realize just how hard Petco is on hitters.
The Padres are a team near the bottom of the standings with a low payroll and Chase Headley is not a “star” player. That being said, why wouldn’t the team would be open to a trade if they received a good offer?
I think they would if they received the right offer. I think their “reluctance” is just them saying it will have to be a very good offer.
I completely agree. Headley is underrated and to move him will take an offer that realizes his true value.
Put Headley in a hitters park that’s in a big market and viola…star player.
Headley hit .330 outside of Petco and .30 points better than the average at Petco.
wonder if his .409 road BABIP was a factor (at 19%, his LD rate was lower on the road than at home)
Seriously. If I’m the Pads, I see this as an easy, 3-step process:
1) Buy billboards near the parks of every team that needs a 3B.
2) Post Headley’s 2008-11 road stats on said billboards.
3) Keep the phone lines open.
I’d love to see a Jurrjens for Headley swap. And then a Prado+ for Arenado swap.
Headley played Left Field in 2009, so maybe Jair Jurrjens for Headley + Outfield Prospect. than Plug Headley in Left/ Third… BUT KEEP PRADO!
If the Padres deal Headley, doubt Jurrjens would be high on their list. A long-term SS or RF are of much bigger need. If they did bring back an arm, it’d be one with less service time then Jurrjens, IMO.
If Amaro is serious about Brown spending the year in AAA, I’d see if there was a potential match between the two. Adding a player in his prime who is reasonably priced would fit in nicely for them at 3b. I could see Headley & maybe Denorfia going to the Phils for Brown and a lower level prospect.
I usually agree with almost every one of your posts. While I think there could be a package there, I believe it would cost more than Headley and a 4th OF. What’s ironic about that, is many people are undervaluing Headley and I’m disagreeing with you. lol
I’d love Brown.
Regardless of how highly projected, Brown is a prospect. Nothing more.
Headley is the 2nd highest value 3rd baseman being mentioned in FA/trade talks.
Headley will bring at least two top 10 prospects in return if the Padres are unable to sign him to a long term contract, but the Padres are not even talking to teams regarding Headley currently.
Maybe Jurrjens + an OF prospect for Headley.
I think you are FAR overestimating Jurrjens value on the market. He is a younger Haarang. In other words a number 4 on the Padres staff.
Frank Wren can make Jurrjens look like Tim Lincecum in a trade, so no i don’t think I am over estimating Him
Why make two trades for a third baseman when you already have Chipper at third? Would you plug Headley into left field and then keep Arenado in the minors and eventually have him take over for Jones at third?
Chipper’s 40 next year and I don’t want him playing 126 games, he can play LF supposedly, with means you can trade Prado (if you have to/want to).
I don’t think JJ alone does it for Headley- I’d throw in a couple of our good but not great pitching prospects (I suggested Hoover and Spruill)- Hoover’s been converted to a reliever but can start, and Spruill is looking like a workhorse type.
I doubt we can make the Pads take Diaz and his $2mil/1 yr, but I’d try to throw that in also.
Oh wow. Chipper “can” play third at 39/40 years old just like I “can” pitch in the majors (in my own mind). In reality, he’s way too slow and fragile to be a regular outfielder in the majors at his age. That would be a huge mistake.
When he was healthy, which he was for about 100 games this year, Chipper was a very good 3B overall. Very good (no longer elite but still very good) bat, below average in field but not killing you out there.
The Braves do have some real problems with IF range, with Freeman, Uggla, and Chipper all being well below average, they need an elite defensive SS like an A-Gon even if his bat stinks.
Sorry, what I meant to say was Chipper “can” play LF at his age like I “can” pitch in the majors. Frankly, I dont think it’s reasonable to expect more than 100 games from Chipper at this point regardless of where you play him. That said, I think asking him to stay healthy as an OFer would be a practice in futility.
I was hoping the Rockies were going to get Mike Minor for EY2 but I am guessing we will both be disapointed
I don’t understand the point of trading for both Headley and Arenado unless you put Headley in LF.
Okay, so the Tigers send Inge to San Diego in the deal, salary and all expenses paid so there is no cost, to cover 3B until the kids are ready. Schlereth and Perry, a couple of former first round picks, and any other prospect not named Turner or Castellanos should get it done. Headly is worth going after for the Tigers if there is any chance at all of landing him.
Sorry buddy but the last thing the padres need is a terrible veteran player and 2 mediocre prospects, it will take more than that.
Okay guys, I’ll sweeten the deal and keep Inge!
A deal might get done if you keep Inge but still send the money from his salary.
Headley’s a 4 WAR player. It will take a better offer than that to convince the Padres to move him.
So the Padres get a bunch of junk in exchange for Headley? no thanks. I think the Padres should trade Headley as Forsythe/Darnell can hold down the fort until Gyorko is ready to take over the hot corner. Plus it’s such a weak market so the demand is high so it’s probably time to make a deal.
If the Angels are interested, I wonder if a deal based around Headley and Bourjos could happen. I believe the Padres need at least 2 centerfielders at Petco and with Trout knocking on the door, Bourjos could be expendable. I’m sure the Padres would have to throw in something, but no one of to much consequence.
The Angels are not going after A Ram (nor are the Tigers), but the Halos are going to try and convert Trumbo to 3B when Morales returns to play first.
Saw an interview with Josh Byrnes on the MLB Network earlier. Says he likes RH power and would like to add some. Maybe Ryan Raburn fits in a package with some relief prospects. His second half splits the last two years are solid, and he’s inexpensive.
Now that is a trade that makes sense for both teams. Headley straight up for Bourjos.
Padres likely wont accept unless Headley turns down a long term deal during offseason, but the trade makes sense for both teams.
Now that is a trade that makes sense for both teams. Headley straight up for Bourjos.
Padres likely wont accept unless Headley turns down a long term deal during offseason, but the trade makes sense for both teams.
I doubt highly doubt Angels would trade Bourjos for Headley unless there was a lot more involved. Angels would never do that deal
Please hear me out here, this deal does make sense. With Morales coming back and Trout deserving a spot in the outfield, the Angels have 7 players for 1st base, the 3 outfield spots and DH. If they could get a 3rd baseman who would probably hit .290 with 20 homers and 90 RBI for an outfielder with promise, but not superstar promise, I think they’d be silly not to make that deal.
Sounds like a really strange decision by San Diego, keeping around a 27 year old with splits that are really dazzling away from the hitters nightmare of Petco and blocking not one but two very promising 3B prospects (who are ready) in the process. SD is 2-3 years away from contending if they’re lucky. Keeping around a valuable piece at its most valuable when you aren’t in a pennant race is bad business. They need a “face of the organization”? Latos & Maybin will hold them down for a few years.
See the thing is Forsythe and Darnell aren’t really promising at least not when it comes to 3B, Forsythe just doesn’t have the bat for third (I think of him as a consistent mid to high 600s OPS guy that will have an ok OBP but a very bad SLG number) and Darnell isn’t a 3B, im not in favor of trading headley he provides a lot of value to the Padres with his OBP but obviously if they get blown away in an offer they need to trade him.
But do you think Headley has “the bat for third”? He is not a prototypical big bat that you would expect from third either.
I agree with you that Darnell or Forsythe are not the 3b of the future, I don’t see Gyorko making the leap to the bigs this year.As much as I would like to see the Padres move all that they can of value now, for the team in a few years. I don’t see the value in moving Headley when there is no-one to replace him that is serviceable.
Yes he does with how 3B plays now. His OPS+ is favorable with lots of 3B.
Speaking of Darnell specifically, Maybe maybe not. It’s hard to assess because He’s barely played any games in the OF in his pro career whether he’s destined for the OF or not. So, he’s more of an 3B than an OF for now, being his natural position until he can establish himself in the outfield. Also, you don’t know that. Hoyer was the one who personally asked Darnell or the organization to play in the OF. They wanted him to become more “versatile”, in attempt to possibly get his bat in the lineup. However, that was not the current GM’s idea, Josh Brynes. Even though I agree he might be better in the OF. McLeod seemed to think Darnell was fine at third. Interesting split, give they are together now in Chi.
I agree Forsythe’s bat may not produce ideally for a 3B, but it could profile eventually comparable to Headley because of the fact he’s a RHB. He has the chance to be a similar player but a RHB should profile better in Petco. And Headley’s splits are dramatic. He’s not ideal for Petco.
Gyorko is on the fast track. Everything I have heard is he will be here sooner than later. He crushed the AFL league on top of his stellar season. Yes, its the AFL, but he destroyed it. I say did, because he’s been shut down from what I hear. Nothing major. Again, with Forsythe and Darnell, they could capitalize now on a weak 3B FA market. You don’t think many teams in need are going to fill that hole before the season or the trade deadline? Of course they will. Many of them. In fact, he COULD have less trade value at the deadline. We KNOW he has very good value now while we have options internally during a transition year. a year in which we could bring in a top prospect WHILE letting another prospect like Darnell or Forsythe get a shot.
My point with dealing Headley:We would probably see immediate drop off in production,(depending on how our internal options fair) but with a chance of a long term gain by bringing in a player who can fit the bill better than Headley does in Petco park.
If the dbacks don’t get Aaron hill I would move Roberts to second and get Headley
Why are Angels in this list? Dipoto made it clear he isn’t looking for 3b help.. And Headly aint that great.. Hope we don’t trade for this guy
His road numbers are great and the post says he plays above average defense… For $3MM, why wouldn’t you want him on your team? Also, he would most likely be a better offensive player in the Angels’ lineup with guys like Hunter, Trumbo, Trout, Bourjos, Aybar, Kendrick, etc instead of batting in the Padres’ lineup with Bartlett, Hudson, Guzman, Venable, Maybin, Hundley, etc…
I would be a big fan of the Cubs trading for him if they can’t re-sign Aramis Ramirez. He would fit nicely into their lineup and would be cost-effective.
His road numbers are helped greatly by a .409 BABIP and there has been tons of research done that shows that lineup protection does not increase a player’s offensive output. The Padres should sell high.
I thought he only made it clear he wasn’t looking for Aramis Ramirez help?
He said he isn’t interested in A-ram and he said he isn’t looking forward to sign a 3rd basemen.His priorities are pitching and catcher..For some reason idk why catcher since we have Conger
Unless overwhelmed by an offer, I think the Padres will hang onto Headley until next years trade deadline. If Gyorko continues to rake in the minors the way he has so far in his career, he could be ready by late next year. If not the Padres can always put Guzman at 3rd and Rizzo at 1st. I know Guzmans’ glove isn’t very good, but if the Padres can get something good for Headley, because of his bat would at least be tolerable at 3rd.
Jurrjens, Zeke Spruill, and JJ Hoover maybe?
The Padres have good help in minors arms (Erlin, Weiland, and Kelly for starters also Castro, Oramas have some value) and a couple of sold arms in rotation (Stauffer and Luebke) they will need to get a stud arm or a player that can help up the middle at catch/short/second.
With the Braves, you’re going to get good quality pitchers, and lesser quality position players. You could always trade those prospects for position prospects. The two guys position-wise you could get are Bethancourt or Pastornicky, and Braves will be reluctant to trade either.
You get the pitchers you’d have a surplus of arms, and could trade for help that way.
Another option would be getting Prado, but you’d probably have to sweeten the deal to get him a bit.
They already have a surplus of arms in Erlin, Kelly, Wieland, Castro, Oramas, etc. The Padres could trade Kelly and Castro for position prospects and keep Headley.
I am not opposed to the value in this proposal, but the Padres have plenty of this type of starting pitching talent.
Neither Forsythe or Darnell is the Padres 3rd base of the future. Forsythe is better suited for 2nd as we saw when Hudson was down. Gyorko is going to be the guy at third and he just made it to AA at the end of the year. He won’t be ready to make an appearance until the end of 2012 at the earliest. If the Padres trade Headley who exactly is going to produce runs for them? You can’t just count on Maybin and Guzman for the entire run production and I’m sure with the salary issue they won’t get a better bat out of free agency. Move the fences and Headley is one of the best 3rd baseman in the league.
angels should resign kazmir and then trade him for david wright!!!! just as funny as bourjos for headey come on man!!!! lol
Headley to Philly makes too much sense.
c’mon hoyer, prove to us you’re gonna be a capable GM.
Hoyer is with the cubs now along with Theo Epstein, Josh Byrnes is the Padres GM
I’m aware lol. I meant I want Hoyer to bring Headley to the Cubs to replace Ramirez.
If the 1st trade Byrnes makes as Padre GM is with Hoyer, the fanbase will run him out of town. Remember the uproar when Hoyer made a deal with his former employee. I’ll give you that Gonzalez was a much bigger name than Headley, but the Red Sox were the only real option Hoyer had. I’d think/hope there will be more than one team who are interested in Headley.
I’m aware lol. I meant I want Hoyer to bring Headley to the Cubs to replace Ramirez.
I’m sorry but no way is Freese better than Headley. I know he had a great post season, and has improved with STL, but the whole reason that the padres traded him in the 1st place was because he isn’t as good as Headley. It’s true that Chase doesn’t have huge power for a 3rd; but neither does Freese, and he too would get hurt by Petco. Headley away from Petco will probably put up greater numbers than Freese. If Headley played for the Reds he’d hit 300, with 350 obp, 20 homers, and above avg defense.
As a padre fan: I’m up for trading Darnell who is a top 100 or fringe 100 prospect by everyone in the industry. Thing is he’s ready (hit over 310 with 23 homers in AAA), Forsythe is ready, but if the pads are wise to trade Headley they can play Guzman/Darnell-Forsythe at 3rd for 1 year.
Gyorko put up the best number in the Cal League in 2011 (better than Gary Brown but moved to AA so wasn’t up for league MVP). He hit over 350, then mid year went to the Missions where he helped them win the Texas League. Right now he’s playing in the AFL and while the draft picks get the headlines from Grey’s articles, and other bigger name prospects get the love from the scouts, Gyorko is hitting over 400; and everyone says, it’s Arizona, his swing is made for it… I got news for all of you. Gyorko swing can work anywhere. Unlike Headley he can put up great numbers in Petco as well as on the road. San Antonio is similar to Petco and after his call-up, he struggled, but with time he adjusted and was swinging great by the playoffs.
A stud young pitcher like Porcello is a great starting point for trade talks for Headley. He’s probably the padres second best everyday player; but a prospect behind him is viewed as better; and the team wants to get both Rizzo and Guzman in the line up. If Hedley stays it might mean Guzman in RF and Blanks in LF… Maybin is fast but I don’t think the pads like that defense.
A trade of some sort seems likely for the pads this offseason.
The Cubs would make alot of sense but what do the Padres need/want?
I think the Padres need a SS or of.
well the cubs could send a package of jr.lake (ss) Jim adduchi(of) and a bullpen arm for Headley? what do padres fans think about that proposal?
I really don’t think the Padres want a minor league roster filler, which is pretty much the best James Adduci is going to be. Ryan Flaherty seems more fair. The Cubs really don’t have much use for him anyway.
If the 1st trade Byrnes makes as Padre GM is with Hoyer, the fanbase will run him out of town. Remember the uproar when Hoyer made a deal with his former employee. I’ll give you that Gonzalez was a much bigger name than Headley, but the Red Sox were the only real option Hoyer had. I’d think/hope there will be more than one team who are interested in Headley.
Padres might just get really lucky here. There are teams like the Tigers who desprately need a 3b and the might be able to get a pretty good prospect for Headly. Pretty sure the Tigers will not move Turner or Castellanos, that would cripple theyre already weak farm.
The Tigers seem to be in a “win now” frame of mind, so I don’t think they are too worried about their farm system. I’m not saying they would, or should, trade Turner or Castellanos for Headley, but I also wouldn’t say they wouldn’t. The Tigers window for a championship won’t be their forever, so they should make a push while they still have a shot.
the tigers need to stay away from him hes young and has a long contract and the tigers have castellanos who could be big league ready by 2013 and is way more intriguing than headly. i think the tigers will go out and trade for chone figgins to play 3b and steal bases it wont take much to get him at all ether and i wouldnt say they have despret need for a third basemen, they did win 95 games this year and arnt losing any key parts. just a couple of smart simple moves will make the tiger heavy favorites in the american league central
Did you say that Headley is young and has a long contract??? He is arb eligible……chone figgins ? Wow…..guess you don’t want to make it back to the playoffs
Padres are in negotiations to lock up Headley long term, through his 1st year of free agency. If they cant come to terms they may trade him late in the offseason. Otherwise he will be a Padre for a few more years at least.
Is this another baseless claim from Websoulsurfer? Can you provide any information supporting your claim they are in negotiations long term? Don’t get me wring, I’d love to take you at your word, but given your track record that’s impossible. A reliable source? Just curious.
and by what source did you hear this? Hacksaw? Philly Billy Werndel ?? Please cite your sources…..
Padres are in negotiations to lock up Headley long term, through his 1st year of free agency. If they cant come to terms they may trade him late in the offseason. Otherwise he will be a Padre for a few more years at least.
Angels make a lot of sense. Callaspo + young starter?