1 trade candidate from every AL Central team that the Padres should consider
Chicago White Sox: Dylan Cease
Dylan Cease is another starting pitcher available that could rival what Blake Snell did this past season. Sure, he had a rough 2023, but was the Cy Young runner-up the year prior and has as good of pure stuff as any starter out there. He comes with two years of control and appears to be very available to be had in a trade.
Cleveland Guardians: Cal Quantrill
The Guardians are another team out there that could be looking to reset, and moving on from their position of strength could be how they accumulate assets. The Guardians have one of the best rotations in the majors, and Cal Quantrill is a very expendable part of that. Shane Bieber is the exciting name, but he'd also cost more and has one fewer year of control than Quantrill. Plus, the fact that Quantrill was already here could be confidence-inducing.
Detroit Tigers: Alex Lange
The Tigers are a possible team that will look to sneak into the playoffs in 2024 so trading their closer might be weird, but Detroit has several quality young relievers which makes Lange expendable. Detroit could look to hold onto him, but this could also be their chance to cash in on his many years of control. The Padres need a closer with Hader leaving, this wouldn't be a bad place to look.
Kansas City Royals: Brady Singer
Brady Singer had an awful 2023 for the Royals, but is still young with a ton of team control and has had success in the past. He'd be a fit in the back end for now with the potential of improving in a change of scenery.
Minnesota Twins: Max Kepler
Max Kepler had his $10 million club option picked up by the Twins, but he's still seen as a player that could be moved this offseason. Minnesota has a ton of left-handed hitting corner outfielders, and could look to move a guy like Kepler to improve in other areas of their roster. He'd be a fine Soto replacement in left field or could fill in as the primary DH if Soto stays.