San Diego Padres: A Mookie Betts trade unlikely, but that’s OK

As we get closer to Spring Training it seems more-and-more likely a trade for Mookie Betts to the San Diego Padres won’t happen, and that’s perfectly fine.

We’re now in February and just two weeks away from pitchers and catcher reporting for the San Diego Padres.

There’s still a chance we could see a big trade happen, but at this point I’m more inclined to think that teams are just ready to get into the season and see what happens.

The Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs both have teams good enough to win in 2020. Why not at least go into the season with the teams they have and see what happens?

I mean, these are storied franchises who are all about winning. Are you telling me they’re going to punt on a season because of the luxury tax?

It’s just hard to imagine that happening.

I was listening to the East Village Times podcast where they interviewed Jim Callis from MLB Pipeline. And towards the end of the podcast they ask Callis about the rumored trade between the Padres and Red Sox for Mookie Betts.

The rant that follows is epic and that’s exactly how I feel about the rumors. Why in the world would the Red Sox, who are trying to cut money, do a deal in which they’re taking on money — especially when that money is tied to one Wil Myers?

And even if they were willing to do that, there is no way that happens without the Padres giving up MacKenzie Gore, Luis Patino, or CJ Abrams.

If A.J. Preller had a deal on the table in which he got Betts for Myers and didn’t have to give up one of this top three prospects, that deal should have been agreed upon already. It doesn’t matter how much of the money Boston is willing to eat, that deal should be done.

As I wrote the other day, it makes much more sense for the Red Sox to trade Betts straight up for prospects. Why create a complicated trade where you’re going to take on more money and not get an elite prospect?

I say all that to tell you, don’t get depressed when Betts doesn’t come to the Padres this offseason. If he goes to the Dodgers, then yea, maybe you have a right to be upset.

But I personally think Betts doesn’t get moved until July, and I think the Padres are fine with that happening.

Why the Padres are fine

Maybe it’s Spring optimism, but I’m really excited about the team the Padres already have. They’ve made moves this offseason that certainly make them better in 2020.

Tommy Pham is going to be a huge on-base guy atop the lineup, Jurickson Profar should help lengthen the lineup, Zach Davies will give the team some innings at the back of the rotation, Trent Grisham has some upside to help strengthen the outfield, and Drew Pomeranz will play a big roll in limiting the innings from the young starters and bridging the gap to Kirby Yates.

And while I don’t expect Tatis to hit 40 home runs like he was on pace to do in 2019, I certainly expect he’ll be healthy all season and be a real force atop the lineup.

I also wrote earlier this offseason that I think Machado is primed for a big bounce-back season after a year of adjustment in San Diego.

There is also the hope we could see top prospect MacKenzie Gore join the starting rotation not long into the season, which would be a big boost to the pitching staff.

Not to keep plugging my articles, but I wrote about the possibility of Garrett Richards becoming a top of the rotation pitcher once again.

Perhaps this is just me getting exciting with Spring Training so close, but I really feel good about where this team is at.

And those who are much smarter than me apparently feel the same way as most betting and projection sites have the Padres as an 83-to-86 win team that could possibly earn a Wild Card spot.