The Padres have dominated recent news with their hiring of new GM A.J. Preller. One of the main tasks set before Preller is to turn the current roster into a contender. The Padres have never won the World Series, and it will be Preller’s job to guide them through October. His first assignment – evaluate the club’s current assets and identify potential August trades.
A few players stand out as potential trade assets. They are unlikely to contribute to the next great Padres roster. As such, it might be best to get something back for them while it’s possible. As the club learned with Chase Headley, baseball assets can spoil unexpectedly.
Two players stand out as particularly valuable, although both are controllable through 2015. Ian Kennedy has recovered his career in San Diego, with a 3.51 ERA, 9.53 K/9, and 3.08 BB/9 through 146 and one-third innings. He has one more year of arbitration, and he’s likely to earn around $10MM. As such, he represents a substantial but potentially valuable financial investment. His struggles in Arizona and New York may give contenders pause before they buy his 2014 numbers.
The other top asset is closer Joaquin Benoit. He was a much rumored July trade candidate along with former closer Huston Street. Most clubs preferred him as a setup man despite closer quality numbers. His contract might explain why. Benoit is owed $8MM next season with a $8MM option for 2016 that becomes guaranteed with 55 games finished in 2015. The details of his contract could help him to pass through revocable waivers.
Even if both players are claimed, the Padres may have the opportunity to swing a trade with the claiming team. Other Padres like Will Venable could hit the market too, although they’re unlikely to return anything noteworthy.
For a more complete explanation of how revocable trade waivers and August trades work, check out MLBTR’s August Trades primer. You can also check out MLBTR’s list of players that have cleared revocable waivers to see who is eligible to be traded to any team.
Depends if the GM was at least given some time to rebuild the roster. Benoit and Kennedy really aren’t that valuable with the contracts they are under.
Benoit on a 8mill contract this year and the next 2 years is better than what the tigers gave Joe Nathan, Dodgers gave Brian Wilson and Brandon League, 1 mill more than Jonathan Broxton of the Reds and Mike Adams of the Phillies. He’s out pitched all of them and most relievers making less than him. He has value. Hence why so many teams showed interest. But weren’t willing to part with a Huston Street deal to get him.
Far as Kennedy he has a year of arb left that’ll be in the 7-8 million range after the way he’s pitched this year. And he’s actually pitched better on the road than at petco according to fangraphs. You mean to tell me a pitcher that’ll make 8 mill on a 1 year deal coming off 9.5 K/9, 3.33 xFIP, 2.4 WAR so far aren’t really valuable? I’m sure teams looking to compete next year and need a 2 or 3 guy strongly disagree with you.
Benoit has value, but I don’t see many teams that will jump to take on his $8MM salary next year and give up anything of value.
Writer pegged his salary around $10MM next year, which really isn’t that great. Look past what he has done this year. He isn’t someone I would slot in as a #2 starter. He has been more of a backend starter for the past 3 years. With the way he has played, they may be much better off hanging onto him until next year if they think he can repeat.
I doubt he’s get 10 mill. He may file for it but it’ll be closer to 8 I think. His numbers at petco, a hitter friendly park, will bring it down. But even then you look at last off season and see what Nolasco, Garza, Jimenez, Haren, Feldman, Colon, Hudson, Kazmir got they all received 10+ mill a year deals. Giving up a few prospects to get Kennedy for rest of this year, playoffs, and next year with the hope of extending him 3-4 years at 9ish it’ll be better than risking a commitment that other pitchers got giving 10+ annually.
I think the window of opportunity to get real value for Kennedy and Benoit is gone by now, In the offseason teams are more inclined to give internal options a chance, and not to overpay in trades( unless the player is cost controlled, which Kennedy and Benoit are not) and nobody is going to give much for half a year of Kennedy or Benoit during the 2015 season.
Kennedy to the Angels for CJ Cron straight up. You heard it hear first.
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