San Diego Padres AM Talk: Sonny Gray and Noah Syndergaard, Again

San Diego Padres AM Talk: Are the Padres continuing towards a trade involving a New York pitcher?

Happy hump day, San Diego! With my company holiday party coming up on Friday night, productivity in the office hasn’t been very high and, unfortunately, the San Diego Padres have given me very little to discuss or read about this week as the calm before the Winter Meetings storm sets in. However, Tuesday wasn’t completely void of Padres news.

There were a few updates from yesterday’s hot stove action concerning the Padres, including more information about two different Padres rumors surrounding starting pitchers from New York, Sonny Gray and Noah Syndergaard.

As I mentioned after the Mets made their blockbuster trade for Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz and then were immediately connected to Corey Kluber, the odds of a Padres deal with New York for Syndergaard seemed to immediately drop.  New general manager Brodie Van Wagenen was quoted as saying the “chips are in to win now” and the likelihood of the organization moving Noah Syndergaard appear less and less likely, as pointed out by Joel Sherman. Van Wagenen is rumored to be in discussions with Cleveland for one of their rotation pieces and Miami for catcher J.T. Realmuto. He shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon this offseason.

According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe and Jon Morosi of MLB.com, the Padres and Yankees have continued their conversation about a trade involving starting pitcher Sonny Gray. Morosi says there are other teams also involved, however, the Padres look to be moving in as the Yankees have already openly expressed their desire to rid themselves of Gray.

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The asking price for Gray shouldn’t be high, especially for the Padres and their incredibly deep farm system. Best case scenario, Gray regains his form from his Oakland days and the Padres have themselves an established veteran pitcher. Worst case scenario, they are out one or two mid-level prospects and he is moved at the deadline.

Truth is, if San Diego wants to add to their rotation, it will have to be via trade. With Patrick Corbin (the only free agent ace pitcher) going to the Nationals and the hyper-active NL East, the Phillies and Yankees are sure to step up their efforts to attract the next level of free agent pitchers, including Nathan Eovaldi and Dallas Keuchel. If the price tags of these free agents rise, AJ Preller will surely walk away and turn back to his upcoming prospect pitchers.

Make sure you check out the link above to get to know the newest member of the San Diego Padres minor leagues, former Minnesota Twins pitcher Dietrich Enns.