Padres Make Big Trade with Marlins: Cashner and Rea Gone

The Padres made their biggest trade of the year yet, with Andrew Cashner, Colin Rea, and Tayron Guerrero traded to the Miami Marlins for Jarred Cosart, Carter Capps, and Marlins top prospects Josh Naylor and Luis Castillo.

The Padres and General Manager A.J. Preller continues to show that he is committed to rebuilding a winning San Diego Padres team through their own farm system. Through drafting and trades he has shifted this system from one of the worst to at least in the top half of baseball farm systems. With some top play it could go even higher.

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Josh Naylor was a Marlins first round draft pick in 2015 and though only 19 and in A ball, the first baseman could easily be a top hitter for the Padres in the not-too-distant future.

Cashner was the longest tenured Padre, and throw in the fact that he was a free agent at the end of the year made dealing him a top priority for Preller. It appears for the Cashner trade to reach the quality he wanted it to, he did have to include Colin Rea as well which is a little disappointing for Padres fans. Though not dominant this season, it did appear Rea had the ability to be a solid #3 starter for the Padres in the future.

The immediate question is now who in the world will start games for the team. They have now dealt 4 of the 5 starters for Opening Day, with the only one escaping being Tyson Ross – who hasn’t thrown a pitch for the Padres since Opening Day.

The club mentioned that Paul Clemens who was claimed off waivers from the Marlins could be another starter in addition to Cosart, who has been a top prospect but was pitching to an ERA over 5 in 4 starts this year with Miami. The Padres also have not traded to this point Brad Hand, who also has started in the past with Miami.

Next: Padres Building Up Minor League Ranks

The long-term question is who will be in the rotation for the Padres come 2017 but I have a feeling that A.J. Preller is not done dealing yet. Derek Norris, Jon Jay both remain as potential trade targets, not to mention left-handed relievers Ryan Buchter and Hand. The Aroldis Chapman trade certainly showed what teams are willing to pay for left-handed relievers, and it is also worth noting that just last night the Nationals almost blew a save, the Mets blew their second straight and the Red Sox with Craig Kimbrel sidelined blew one too. Relief help is in high demand.