San Diego Padres: Realistic trade targets to bolster starting rotation

Chris Archer

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While the Padres certainly could use a top of the rotation type of guy like the three previous options, they could also use a middle of the rotation piece as well to help balance out their staff.

Chris Archer, who is currently pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates, fits that bill and could come at a reasonable cost.

The last three to four seasons have been challenging for Archer, 31. His ERA has been above 4.00 every season since 2016, but he still has a career ERA of 3.86.

In 2019, he posted a 5.19 ERA, which was a career worst, but also had a strong ability to strike batters out, doing so at a rate of 10.8 Ks/9.

The Padres might be able to get Archer for cheap, considering his struggles as of late, so it might not be a bad gamble to make.

He might be able to turn his career around while taking on a different role with a young staff, bringing experience and toughness into the mix.

Let us know in the comments below which of these trade targets you’d like to see the Padres go after this offseason or possibly during the season. Or if this a name you think we left off this list.