ESPN Survey Says Chase Headley To Remain A Padre At Least Till New Years Day

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com surveyed 22 general managers, assistant GMs, advisers, scouting directors and talent evaluators for their opinions on what will probably be the seven hottest baseball topics between now and New Year’s day.

September 8, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman Chase Headley (7) during his at bat during the ninth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-US PRESSWIRE

One of the topics discussed was who would most likely be traded this winter between Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton, Tampa Bay Rays pitcher James Shields, and Padres third baseman Chase Headley. All three had been the subject of trade speculation for the most part of last season.

Of the 22 executives only one thought Headley would be the most likely to be traded, with another executive splitting his vote between Headley and Upton.

Shields got 15 votes, which made him the player the execs thought would most likely be traded, followed by Upton who got 5 votes.

Jerry Crasnick states:  “Padres general manager Josh Byrnes pried three prospects and Edinson Volquez loose from Cincinnati in exchange for Mat Latos and the expectations are that he would aim very high for Headley, who hit 31 home runs and posted a higher Wins Above Replacement (7.5) than Andrew McCutchen, Miguel Cabrera, Adrian Beltre and Yadier Molina in the FanGraphs War rankings.”

An American League assistant GM said that the Padres won’t trade Headley because “He’s cost-effective.”

The assistant GM went on to say:

"“He’s an offensive player in a park where it’s hard to get offense. He’s homegrown, and he had an All-Star second half. It’s not really enticing for them to move him.”"