San Diego Padres: Potential Options For Chase Headley

Through thirteen regular season games, it has become clear that Chase Headley needs to go. This is no longer 2012 and Headley is not part of the San Diego Padres’ future. The combination of Villanueva and Spangenberg have proven they are capable of holding down the hot corner.

The 2018 season could not have gotten off to a worse start for San Diego Padres’ third baseman Chase Headley. He has just one hit in 20 at-bats (.050 average) and has struck out in 10 of his 23 plate appearances.

While a handful of Padres’ fans believe he will correct himself, most are ready to see the Chase Headley reunion tour end, sooner rather than later.

Christian Villanueva and Cory Spangenberg have proven to be more than capable of holding down the corner infield spot. In just 29 at-bats of the young season, Villanueva is leading the team with six runs driven in, coming off three home runs.

In Cory Spangenberg’s fifth major league season, he has clearly proven he possesses versatility, above average defense, and a solid work ethic. Spangenberg plays multiple positions and can be penciled into any lineup, showing meaningful intangibles. One knock on Spangenberg is his career .322 on-base percentage, an aspect of the offense the San Diego Padres are looking to improve upon.

Can the San Diego Padres trade Chase Headley?

The San Diego Padres are in dire need of starting pitching. Luis Perdomo posted a 5.19 ERA in his first two major league seasons. He, unfortunately, hasn’t shown improvements in 2018, holding a 6.00 ERA over two starts. There’s also Bryan Mitchell, who can’t seem to miss a bat, and Clayton Richard, who is Clayton Richard.

With so many extremely talented prospects, the Padres could package one or two with Headley to get a starting pitcher in return.

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A trade with the Cincinnati Reds is an interesting option. The Reds starting third baseman Eugenio Suarez just hit the disabled list with a fractured right thumb. Reds right-handed starter Luis Castillo is a solid return option, who posted a 3.12 ERA as a rookie in 2017. Another possible trade option would be left-hander Wandy Peralta, whose contract is up in 2018. Peralta owns a fastball that averages 95.07 mph and he’s given up only one hit in five innings this season.

The Arizona Diamondbacks also recently lost their third baseman, Jake Lamb, due to a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder. A feasible return option would be right-handed starter, Taijuan Walker. The Diamondbacks have a loaded starting rotation and Walker becomes arbitration eligible in 2019. He could be a solid replacement for Luis Perdomo who is clearly not major league ready.

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The answer is clear for San Diego Padres GM AJ Preller, trade Headley for a starting pitcher.