Padres division-by-division trade targets: NL East

We take a look at each division in baseball and who could be potential trade targets for the San Diego Padres this offseason — starting with the NL East.

The San Diego Padres are expected to be very busy in the trade market this offseason, so we thought it might be a good practice to look at each team by division to see who could be of interest to the Padres.

Of course, the Padres are expected to make all kinds of deals this offseason. Some will be to simply shed money and get rid of a player with a prospect attached to him.

While others will simply be trades to improve the team in 2020 and going forward.

And I wouldn’t be surprised to see a trade or two to restock the farm system, especially if someone like Austin Hedges is traded.

For this exercise, we’re just going to focus on players that might be available who could make the Padres better in 2020.

Marlins

Caleb Smith is a serious trade target for the Padres if the Marlins make him available this offseason.

There has been no indication that Smith is available through trade, but with the Marlins in a long rebuild and at least a couple of years from contention, I think they could be convinced to move him … but it would cost.

The 28-year-old Smith is under team control for four more seasons through arbitration.

He posted a 4.52 ERA in 2019 over 153.1 innings with 168 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.23.

A lot of his struggles came with the long ball as he gave up 33 home runs, which is surprising considering the home park that he pitches in.

It would probably take multiple top 30 prospects to get Smith, who would become a solid middle of the rotation pitcher for the Padres.

Brian Anderson would be another target from the Marlins, but the price may be even higher for him after a 3.8 WAR season in 2019 and him under team control for four more years.

But he does have experience in the outfield and would be a great fit with the Padres.