Padres: Three closers San Diego could trade for not named Josh Hader

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The Padres have been connected to Brewers left-hander Josh Hader for some time now. He makes sense on multiple fronts. He’s quickly growing too expensive for Milwaukee, a franchise that could look to re-tool its farm system and San Diego has the prospect capital to pull it off.

But let’s say AJ Preller can’t – or won’t – pay up for Hader, one of the premier lefty relievers in the game today. Where then will San Diego turn? Good news is there are several pending free agents who could be had on the cheap, rather than going all-out for a controllable bullpen piece like Hader.

Let’s dive in.

The first name on the list? A left-hander and familiar face that could have been a fit here in San Diego before he inked a one-year deal, $10.5 million deal with the Nationals. Cleveland non-tendered Brad Hand out of the blue last fall, despite his recent dominance. Now, he’s looking to anchor the Washington pen in 2021.

Since 2016, Hand has been lights-out, making 306 appearances, finishing off 165 contests and amassing 104 saves. His 2.70 ERA and 2.92 FIP check in as well above-average and given he’s heading into his age-31 season, he’s got plenty left in the tank.

Given he’s on a one-year deal, the cost shouldn’t be too staggering for someone like Hand. If Washington isn’t in the hunt, they could look to re-tool and take another crack at it in 2022. A quick flip of this southpaw veteran would check that box and give the Padres a lights-out lefty in the late innings.

Padres could snag Craig Kimbrel if he proves he’s effective and healthy

Now if you look at his baseball card numbers from the last two seasons, you probably want to punch me in the throat for suggesting Craig Kimbrel. But there’s more to this one than meets the eye.

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Down the stretch last summer, the veteran right-hander suddenly got back on track after really struggling in a Cubs uniform. Over his final 14 appearances, Kimbrel worked to a 1.42 ERA and limited opposing hitters to a .098/.245/.098 line. The dude was filthy – and the numbers bore that out.

Chicago has decided to act like a small-market team. Nobody is more aware of that than the Padres, who gave up next-to-nothing in the Yu Darvish trade this winter.

Kimbrel is in the final year of his contract and is poised to make $16 million. If he’s dealing again in the first half, you know the Cubs will do just about anything to shed his contract.

Enter San Diego, who could ride that hot hand deep into October – where Kimbrel has plenty of experience in his lengthy career. Then, for just $1 million, buy him out of his option for 2022 and send him on his way. Sound like a plan?

Padres could turn to a more cost-effective option in Archie Bradley

If the Padres aren’t looking to add a lot in terms of payroll – or are concerned with coming off even remotely solid young talent, former first-rounder Archie Bradley could be a fit in the late innings.

Last year, Bradley came to Cincinnati mid-season and was superb for the Reds, making a half-dozen appearances down the stretch. A former starter-turned-closer, the right-hander has a 2.95 ERA in his career out of the bullpen and works primarily with a plus fastball, as well as a pretty so-so curveball.

Still, last season he limited opponents to the lowest average exit velocity of his career. On a one-year, $6 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies, it wouldn’t take much to grab Bradley at the deadline, especially if, once again, the Fightin’ Phils are treading water.

Hader, Yelich rumors have died down quiet a bit. dark. Next

I’m not saying he’s your closer – because with Keone Kela, Mark Melancon and Drew Pomeranz, there’d definitely be guys in line ahead of him for the job. But he could add another high-velo arm to the mix as the Padres eye a title in 2021.

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Padres could snag Craig Kimbrel if he proves he’s effective and healthy

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Padres could turn to a more cost-effective option in Archie Bradley

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