Padres: 3 teams who could trade for Austin Hedges

Braves

The Atlanta Braves are definitely looking for a catcher this offseason to pair with Tyler Flowers.

And while they might want somebody with a better hit tool considering Flowers is more a defensive catcher, Hedges could be someone who intrigues them as a buy-low candidate.

If the Braves decide to spend big in other areas, they may have to look for a cheap option at catcher through the trade market.

And that’s where the Padres and Hedges come into play.

Much like with the Pirates, the Padres could try two different types of deals here.

They could look to trade for an established outfielder like Ender Inciarte, or they could pick from the plethora of young pitching prospects in the Braves system.

Inciarte would be a great fit in the Padres outfield as he’s won 3 Gold Glove awards and has a career average of .246.

He’s set to make $7.7 million in 2002 and $8.7 million in 2021 with a team option for $9 million in 2022 with a $1.02 million buyout.

The Padres would be adding about $5 million towards the 2020 payroll with that move, but they’d also be getting a very solid center fielder.

On the other hand, the Padres could try to get a buy low prospect from the Braves like Touki Toussaint.

The 23-year-old has had ups-and-downs at the big league level, but he has great stuff and could work his way into the Padres starting rotation.