San Diego Padres trade rumors: Starting pitching

Cheri Bell

When the 2017 baseball season began I anticipated a dismal season for the Padres starting rotation. With cast off signees Jhoulys Chacin, Jarred Cosart, Jered Weaver and Trevor Cahill the Padres resigned 2016 surprise Clayton Richard. Hoping to catch lightning in a bottle, the front office felt that the magic of Darren Balsley would be able to make a serviceable rotation with the addition of last year’s Rule V claim, Luis Perdomo.

At the half way point of the year, Weaver seems to have faded away, Cosart has had season ending surgery and Clayton Richard has been inconsistent, at best. With the addition of Dinelson Lamet to replace the DL problems, Chacin and Cahill have been the best performers but that isn’t saying a whole lot. The entire staff has been inconsistent.

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With the trade deadline approaching there has been talk that both Chacin and  Cahill could draw interest from contending teams. I find that difficult to believe with  all the inconsistencies they have had through the first half.

If either is traded I don’t think the Padres would get much in return for either one. Lamet and Perdomo have more of a future but the Friars would be foolish to trade young talent at this point, especially with both of them still developing.

It makes sense that Cahill would bring the best return as he is younger with more upside but Chacin seems more able to pitch when lacking his best stuff.

Either way, I will be surprised if the Padres can get much of anything of value in return for either. If they do I will acknowledge A.J. Preller to be the genius some claim he is.