3 players Padres could surprisingly trade before non-tender deadline

2. Trent Grisham

Trent Grisham was a lightning rod for the Padres in the Wild Card Series and NLDS against the Mets and Dodgers … but does that make up for his overall 2022 performance?

After a solid (but average) 2021 campaign (his first official full season with the Pads), Grisham was dreadful in 2022, slashing .184/.284/.341 with an 83 OPS+. His previous ability to act as a threat on the basepaths disappeared as well. He struck out 150 times in 524 plate appearances. Sure, he was good for a 1.3 dWAR and won the NL Gold Glove in center field, but he made some egregious errors in center field that really just made you shake your head.

And why did he bunt in the NLCS? May not have been his fault or call, but the fact he was the central figure in that puzzling decision makes it all the worse.

He’s due $2.6 million in his first year of arbitration eligibility, which is something the Padres are more than likely content with paying, especially for the value he provides when his bat wakes up. It’s also hard to find above-average defense in center field.

But a trade here could help the Padres replenish their decimated farm system in a small way and maybe allow them to consider a … non-tendered Cody Bellinger? One last big contract for Brandon Nimmo? A lesser deal for the recently dumped Kevin Kiermaier, who is also a defensive stalwart?

A Grishman trade/non-tender is unlikely, but there remains an avenue to make either happen.