The San Diego Padres are seemingly a step behind the Los Angeles Dodgers once again this season. This has become the running trend over the last few years.
San Diego will likely be active on the trade market this season as it looks to close the gap on the Dodgers in the National League West. At worst, the Padres should be a top wild-card team in the NL.
Either way, the team needs to make some big moves in the coming weeks.
FanSided’s Chris Landers recently suggested the Padres could look to cut ties with pitching prospect Braden Nett this season.
“The needs are obvious: more pitching depth, but more importantly, a functional left fielder to fill what has been a black hole all season long,” Landers wrote. “Acquiring those things could be a bit trickier. This isn’t the deepest farm system, and the team is loath to touch its top two prospects, shortstop Leo de Vries and catcher Ethan Salas.
“But a pitcher like Braden Nett could intrigue rebuilding teams at the deadline; he’s finally gotten his control issues a bit more under control at Double-A this season, and his stuff has never been in question.”
The Padres are in a position to swing some big trades, but their farm system isn’t in a position to lose top prospects.
With that in mind, trading their No. 9 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, would make a lot of sense. Nett could headline a deal for a reliable starting pitcher to add to the roster. There’s also a chance Nett could be the headliner in a deal for a star corner outfielder.
Either way, the Padres should look to make a big move or two this season, and it will cost them some top prospects.
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