The Editor’s Desk with Billy Brost: What If The Shortstops Don’t Work?
Let’s forget for a moment that Yoan Moncada signed two days ago with the Boston Red Sox. The reality of the situation, was that Moncada was simply not going to contribute to this season’s San Diego Padres. Even if the team hasn’t dealt Trea Turner as part of the three-team deal that brought Wil Myers to San Diego, HE was not going to contribute to this year’s Padres’ squad.
Unfortunately, even if the team wanted to mend fences with Everth Cabrera, that ship has sailed, as the troubled speedster is on the verge of signing with the Baltimore Orioles. No, the mistake that A.J. Preller continues to overlook, is that the combination of Alexi Amarista and Clint Barmes is not going to suffice for a team that has not only playoff, but World Series aspirations. Where were the Padres when the Phillies were dangling Jimmy Rollins? Were they ever in contact with Stephen Drew? Who were the Padres interested in?
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The truth of the matter is, the Padres are going to have to pull the trigger and made some sort of deal to upgrade their shortstop position before the non-waiver trading deadline on July 31st. Perhaps names like Jose Reyes, Yunel Escobar, Elvis Andrus, Starlin Castro, or even Ian Desmond would be on the market. The Padres have a handful of solid prospects remaining, but it’s most likely going to cost the Friars an upper level big league talent as well to get something of that magnitude done.
It may take a combination of Andrew Cashner and either Will Middlebrooks or Yangervis Solarte to pry away some of the bigger names, while the prospects of Hunter Renfroe, Matt Wisler, Austin Hedges, and Rymer Liriano remain fresh on the minds of GMs looking for talent to augment a roster rebuild. Either way, something has to happen. The way it is now, just isn’t going to work for a team that wants to play deep into October. It’s a cute idea, but neither Barmes nor Amarista are going to be the shortstop when the MLB postseason starts the first week of October. If they are, the Padres, like usual, will most likely be spectators just like the rest of us.
Next: Padres Makeover Not Just For Production
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