Intriguing potential Padres trade would be a reunion for Bob Melvin

Padres reportedly interested in Chad Pinder, but will the A’s make him available at the trade deadline?

If the San Diego Padres want to keep close behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the division race – let alone attempt to go neck and neck – they will need to be buyers at the trade deadline.

On May 1, the Padres and Dodgers were tied atop the standings. On the last day of the month, they’re three games back, their biggest gap of the season thus far. They maintain a solid hold on one of the National League’s three Wild Card berths, but the shiny veneer of a .630 winning percentage is beginning to crack.

According to MLB insider Robert Murray, Pinder might not be available, but the Padres are definitely interested:

"“Let me start with this: I don’t expect the A’s to trade Chad Pinder. But if they do, I anticipate many teams being involved, as there are executives who believe he is meaningfully better than the .248/.272/.413 slashline with four home runs that he has produced this season. One team that has liked Pinder is the San Diego Padres, whose manager Bob Melvin was with Pinder in Oakland.”"

The versatile Pinder plays the outfield, and both second and third base, which makes him an appealing addition to any team dealing with injuries.

Pinder is a career .245/.300/.427, .727 OPS hitter. He’s homered five times in 36 games this season, so he could provide a bit of power to the Padres lineup.