Padres Trade Fernando Rodney to Marlins for Prospect

The Padres traded away closer Fernando Rodney to the Miami Marlins for a A ball pitching prospect Chris Paddack. Rodney has been outstanding this season, allowing just 1 earned run and not blowing a save yet.

The Padres knew that the value of a 39 year old closer who has more of a track record for volatility than sustained success was limited and the Marlins need bullpen help as they are in contention for a wild card spot in the crazy National League.

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One positive I thought about this move is that it nearly guarantees that Wil Myers will be picked as a Padres representative for the All Star Team. Rodney was nearly assured a spot with his pitching performance this season, but even though at last check Myers couldn’t get past Lucas Duda for the Top 5 voting at first base – surely he will be picked to represent the Padres.

After all, he is having a June with an OPS of 1.194, 11 home runs and 33 RBI. That after 7 HR and 22 RBI in April/May combined. Not to mention he will be an All Star Week Ambassador.

Back to the trade at hand: Paddack is a 20 year old 2015 8th round pick by the Marlins. He has been impressive in 6 starts this year with 48 strikeouts and just two walks in nearly 30 innings – but remember that is at Single A.

It’s a little surprising that the Padres weren’t able to get someone with a little more seasoning for a valuable commodity like proven bullpen support. If they get an 8th round A ball prospect for Rodney, what do we really think they can get for other parts like a Brad Hand or even Yangervis Solarte?

The Padres signed James Loney earlier this year – watched him tear it up in AAA – and then traded him for some cash to the Mets. Again I question, is that the best they can do?

Paddack may turn out to be the next John Smoltz – traded for an aging Doyle Alexander – a trade Braves fans are happy for now but at the time wondered if that was the best they could do. Especially when Alexander went on to help the Tigers win the division by going 9-0 with a 1.53 ERA. That one turned out well as Smoltz turned out to be a Hall of Fame starter/reliever.

Will the Rodney for Paddack trade be remembered in the annals of baseball history? Time will tell.

In the meantime, Ryan Buchter might be the favorite to take over as closer as except for a recent 5 run outing (in a game the Padres were losing already) he has been outstanding. That would open up Brandon Maurer moving back to the 8th inning and perhaps Kevin Quackenbush sliding into the 7th inning setup role.