The Padres have just taken 3 out of 4 against the Reds in Cincinnati, finishing their most recent roadtrip with a .500 record. However, that’s hardly the story as we are less than 24 hours from the trade deadline. I’d have to say the Padres have been one of the most active teams; obviously they are sellers, but many names of Padres’ players have bounced around with no one being untouchable.
-As recently as four days ago, Padres GM Kevin Towers said that he has been getting a “ton of calls” from other GMs inquiring about both Adrian Gonzalez and Heath Bell. However, KT said that it was unlikely that either of them would be traded. Since then, things seemingly have changed….
-Ever since the Jake Peavy to the White Sox trade talks slipped out, the Padres have been very secretive about the information they share with the media regarding trades and rumors. In the XX 1090 radio interview with Darren Smith on Wednesday, Kevin Towers would not let out a word of information concerning any Padres rumors.
-The latest rumor we have on Adrian Gonzalez comes from ESPN’s Buster Olney, who says the Padres and Red Sox talked “at length” about an Adrian Gonzalez trade on Wednesday night. Expect the two teams to still be engaged in discussion today. A deal is quite possible, but the Red Sox would have to include Clay Buchholtz, Michael Bowden or Daniel Bard, and at least another prospect. The Padres are selling high on both Gonzalez and Heath Bell.
-Speaking of Heath Bell, there certainly has been a lot to talk about regarding the Padres’ fiery 31-year old closer. Yesterday, the report from Fox Sports was that approximately 10 to 15 teams were involved in trade discussions with the Padres for Bell, but it was the Marlins who were pursuing Bell the most aggressively. Other teams like the Yankees and the Rangers were mentioned as having interest.
-Today, Fox Sports tells us that the Rangers aren’t in on the Bell sweepstakes.
-The Padres and Marlins have been in “serious discussions” concerning Heath Bell. According to Buster Olney of ESPN, these discussions were slowed down when the Marlins declined the Pads’ request for lefties Andrew Miller or Sean West.
-The Marlins had been involved in the George Sherill talks until he was traded to the Dodgers. With Sherill off the market, the Padres could drive up the price if the Marlins are that desperate for Bell.
-The Brewers had shown interest in Kevin Correia, but talks between the two teams have slowed down considerably.
-The last update comes from Ken Rosenthal who says that Kevin Towers will meet with management (Jeff Moorad and Tom Garfinkel) to address all of the different trade scenarios, especially those concerning Adrian Gonzalez and Heath Bell. The Padres have said that they will only make big trades like this if they can see that it makes the team better for the future.
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