Padres: 3 teams who could trade for Austin Hedges

Pirates

Not every possible trade scenario for Austin Hedges will be to bring back an impact player.

He doesn’t have enough value for a straight-up trade to land Starling Marte of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

But maybe you pair Hedges with a prospect and it could work.

The Padres could also just simply trade Hedges for a prospect to add to the farm system to use for another trade.

But the Pirates could use some help at catcher and Hedges could make some sense.

It sounds like Pittsburgh might be starting a rebuild with their new front office, and if that’s the case Hedges could be a veteran presence behind the plate for them over the next three years.

He could also be someone that they could flip in a year or two if he’s able to figure it out at the plate.

And with the Pirates going through a rebuild, Hedges could get the consistent playing times he needs.

In a dream scenario, the Padres would trade Hedges and Adrian Morejon for Starling Marte.

Marte is someone the Padres should definitely be going after this offseason. Whether it’s in a deal involving Austin Hedges or not.

But the Pirates could use a catcher with control and upside, and Hedges fits that mold.