San Diego Padres: 3 more moves to win the NL West

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HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 29: Stephen Strasburg #37 of the Washington Nationals delivers the pitch against the Houston Astros during the first inning in Game Six of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 29, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Stephen Strasburg

After moving Myers and Kinsler, let’s assume the Padres payroll is now down to around $120 million.

In my opinion, there are really only three pitchers left on the free agent market that are worth going after. And honestly, I don’t think there is anyone being mentioned in a trade that interests me more than these three that I’m about to mention.

Gerrit Cole is about to get a record deal from either the New York Yankees or Los Angeles Angels — most likely — so he’s not an option for San Diego.

That leaves Stephen Strasburg and Madison Bumgarner as the only two free agents left that I feel give the Padres a shot at winning the division in 2020.

Bumgarner would be nice and more affordable, but it looks like even he could be pushing a $100 million contract.

There is a chance that Strasburg could get close to a $200 million contract.

And even though there are reports that the Padres are not even going to talk to Strasburg, we’re playing hypotheticals here.

And even to do this in our exercise, the Padres would have to be willing to go over what they are projected to spend — and I think they should.

The Padres go out and get their ace on a 6-year $180 million contract.

That would push the payroll to $150 million with one more move left to go.

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