San Diego Padres: Realistic trade targets to bolster starting rotation

Robbie Ray

The Padres have six or seven starting pitchers currently on the roster, with only one of those being a left-hander. Joey Lucchesi is the lone lefty possibility currently on the roster, so left-handed talent would certainly be welcomed.

Robbie Ray, an Arizona Diamondbacks’ lefty who will be a free agent after the 2020 season, represents a very exciting potential piece for the Padres due to his relative young age (28), his consistent strikeout rate (11.1/9 innings), and his contract, which will only cost the Padres for one season.

MLB Trade Rumors projects that he’ll make around $10 million through arbitration in 2020, which isn’t cheap, but it’s only for one season.

Ray had a mostly solid 2019, throwing 174.1 innings with a 4.34 ERA and 1.34 WHIP. Certainly below his capabilities, but attractive nonetheless.

He’s thrown at least 162 innings in three of the last four seasons.

Some issues that might arise from this option would be the Diamondbacks’ willingness to trade one of their top players within the division, while also requiring the Padres to dedicate somewhere near $10 million dollars for the 2020 season.

Ray would immediately be the Padres best pitcher, and could provide a veteran’s touch that can rub off on the younger members of the staff.