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Padres: The case for and against trading Luis Urias this offseason

By Jake Mastroianni

SAN DIEGO, CA - AUGUST 31: Luis Urias #9 of the San Diego Padres is congratulated after hitting a two-run home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at PETCO Park on August 31, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - AUGUST 31: Luis Urias #9 of the San Diego Padres is congratulated after hitting a two-run home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at PETCO Park on August 31, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, COLORADO – SEPTEMBER 13: Luis Urias #9 of the San Diego Padres hits a RBI single in the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on September 13, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO – SEPTEMBER 13: Luis Urias #9 of the San Diego Padres hits a RBI single in the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on September 13, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Trade him

For me, trading him has nothing to do with giving up on him as a Major League player.

Rather, I think the reason you trade him now is because he still has a lot of value and could bring back a really good player at a position that the Padres are more vulnerable at (like outfield and starting pitcher).

I wrote an article on Monday talking about possible trade partners for Wil Myers. The Padres could package Urias in a trade with Myers that would allow them to get that money off the books and possibly get a good player in return.

light. Related Story. 3 landing spots for Myers

The Padres already have an insurance option in place with Ian Kinsler.

Plus, they have Xavier Edwards in the system who could be ready soon.

Edwards finished 2019 at High-A where he hit .301 in 196 at-bats. At the very least he most likely finishes the 2020 season at Double-A with a shot to make the Opening Day roster in 2021.

Bottom line is, I don’t think anyone in the Padres front office is giving up on Urias. I know I’m certainly not.

But I do think Urias’ ceiling is a light-hitting second baseman that could hit .280, maybe reach double-digit home runs, and steal close to 20 bases.

That’s a very solid player, but one that could be replaced.

If other teams still hold a lot of value for Urias — and they should — then it makes sense for the Padres to trade him this offseason. But only if it brings an impact player back or helps them move a bad contract.

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