3 San Diego Padres trade rumors to squelch before they gain any traction

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It is the middle of June and the San Diego Padres trade rumors are likely getting ready to furiously fly very soon. With that in mind, it's time to separate what could happen versus those rumors that will likely be floated out there but never will really be a reality.

So which Padres trade rumors are ones that Padres fans shouldn't put much weight into? Here are three that we believe should be squelched before they gain any traction.

San Diego Padres trade rumor to squash: Paul Goldschmidt

Absolutely, the St. Louis Cardinals are in a freefall, having lost five games in a row and owning the worst record in the National League. There are also plenty of rumors already swirling about the Cardinals potentially trading reigning National League MVP Paul Goldschmidt, but would San Diego really be a spot that could legitimately take on the cost it will take to acquire him, as well as the $26 million he is on the books to be paid for next season? The answer is very likely no.

In a perfect world, Goldschmidt could be slotted in as the team's designated hitter and also play some first base. However, the price tag in what will be expected from the Cardinals in return for Goldschmidt (even if the team decides to trade him) will be far and above what the Padres would be willing to pay.

Are there other Cardinals that might be of interest to the Padres. Oh absolultely, and here's who we think they are.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Marcus Stroman / Ray Acevedo-USA TODAY Sports

San Diego Padres trade rumor to squash: Marcus Stroman

Like the Cardinals, it seems very likely that the Chicago Cubs are going to miss the postseason in 2023 and could well find themselves as sellers at the MLB trade deadline. One of the biggest assets for the Cubs is starting pitcher Marcus Stroman, who is coming to end of his two-year, $50 million deal with Chicago.

Stroman has already said publicly that the Cubs are "not interested in exploring" a contract extension, meaning Chicago could well be setting up to try to trade Stroman and get a decent return for his services.

The 32-year-old right-hander has been pitching like an All-Star this season, racking up eight wins in 15 starts and posting a National League-leading 2.45 ERA. His ERA+ of 183 leads the National League as well, and he certainly showed his talents to Padres fans on June 4 when he allowed one unearned run and four hits over 6.0 innings in a Chicago win at Petco Park.

Again, much like Goldschmidt, should the Cubs decide to trade Stroman, there will be a bidding war for his services and San Diego may not want to part with the draft capital it would take to bring him to southern California. Stroman would certainly be a good fit for any team needing starting pitching, but it likely won't be San Diego that lands him at the MLB trade deadline.

Chicago Cubs center fielder Cody Bellinger / David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

San Diego Padres trade rumor to squash: Cody Bellinger

Much like Stroman, it feels like the Cubs could find a way to trade away Bellinger and get a nice return for the former National League MVP. Chicago signed the 27-year-old Bellinger to a "prove it" one-year, $17.5 million deal this offseason and he has certainly done that, slashing .272/.341/.497 in 167 plate appearances.

Bellinger is back off the injured list after suffering a knee contusion and is expected to play first base as well as make some appearances in the outfield moving forward for the Cubs. Bellinger has played first base before coming to Chicago, so the move isn't surprising. However, with Chicago putting Bellinger back in the infield, it's also a way for the Cubs to show other teams that he could be an answer at the trade deadline at that position as well, adding to his worth.

There are so many tantalizing thoughts about Bellinger being added to the Padres and helping San Diego claw back into the NL West race against his former team in Los Angeles. Can you imagine the storylines there would be if that were to happen?

It sounds like a Hollywood script, but this isn't a movie. If (and it's a big if) the Cubs do actually trade Bellinger (and there's no guarantee they will with a mutual option in place for 2024 for another $17.5 million), there are better fits for him in other locations (including Houston, where the Astros are expected to pay handsomely for an answer to their first base needs) than San Diego.

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