San Diego Padres: Realistic trade targets to bolster starting rotation

The San Diego Padres have had an active offseason, but starting pitching remains a question mark that should be addressed.  We take a look at some realistic options that the Padres could deal for that would answer the lingering questions.

There are many things to like about the currently constructed version of the San Diego Padres‘ starting pitching rotation. A lot of young talent with room to improve highlight what can be a very respectable group if all goes to plan.

Mixed in with their young talent is 31 year-old Garrett Richards who has pitched fewer than 150 innings in the last four seasons. Another question that adds to the lack of obvious stability.

What they are missing is a seasoned arm with a positive track record to mix with the young group to provide some balance among a group who will likely face lulls during a long season. Someone who they can turn to in the big moments that require experience and composure.

While it would be really nice to acquire an ace type of pitcher to add to this current group, that would require a hefty price that the Padres might not be willing to part with.

I don’t believe this addition needs to be as flashy to have significant results.

Whether an ace or not, experience can go a long way and might not cost top end prospects.

Here is a list of trade targets that the San Diego Padres should consider to balance out their 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.

Jon Gray

As I previously wrote earlier this offseason, Colorado Rockies starter Jon Gray makes a lot of sense for the Padres.

Another 28 year-old, Gray is a right-handed power arm who’s fastball can get up to the high 90s while countering the heat with a reasonably effective slider.

He has posted sub 4.00 ERAs in two of the last three seasons, while pitching a significant amount of his innings at Coors Field.

However, his career numbers show that he’s been just as good at home (4.36 ERA) as he has been on the road (4.56 ERA).

Gray’s 2019 season was one of his better seasons, posting a 3.84 ERA with a 150/56 K/BB rate in 150 innings.

His season ended in August due to a stress fracture in his left foot which had given him trouble in the past.

While clearly a risk given his injury history, Gray has put up steady numbers in Colorado and is under team control through the 2021 season.

He, like Ray, may be hard to pry from a team in the NL West, but it is certainly worth investigating if you are the Padres.

Gray is expected to make $5-6 million through arbitration in 2020, which wouldn’t put a terrible strain on the Padres payroll.

Noah Syndergaard

Noah Syndergaard seems to be linked through trade rumors with the Padres every season at this point. For a handful of years now, the Padres have needed an established starting pitcher, and the Mets have been on the brink of rebuilding.

If ever the Padres wanted to make a big splash and land an ace that would be their clear-cut number one option, it would be Syndergaard.

Still only 27, the right-hander has a career ERA of 3.31 and a K/BB per 9 ratio of 9.7/2.1. He is a flame thrower with still a ton of upside to discover, which makes it obvious why the Padres have been interested in him for so long.

Syndergaard will probably have a very large price tag, which creates a risky yet enticing situation for the Padres in that regard.

With the prospect capital to make this deal, the Padres could pull the trigger if both sides are truly interested.

The upside, other than the statistics that jump out at you, are his team-friendly contract that has him locked up through 2021.

New York has said publicly they’re not interested in trading Syndergaard this offseason and they plan on making a run at things again in 2019. So if this trade were to happen it would probably have to take place during the season.