3 San Diego Padres trade targets that will hurt rather than help

Wil Myers, RH-Hitting OF/DH

It gives me little pleasure to predict Wil Myers’ triumphant return to San Diego will not benefit either side. The Padres are desperate for production from the designated hitter position in their lineup. Usually, a move of this nature would shake the Friars out of their offensive malaise. But Myers needs to be more selective for him to be productive at the plate.

Instead of re-signing Myers last offseason, Padres general manager A.J. Preller turned to Nelson Cruz and Matt Carpenter as a lefty/righty DH combo. However, neither player has bolstered the lineup, but the addition of Myers does not guarantee an uptick in production either. 

Myers has struggled with the Cincinnati Reds this season. He has batted .189/.257/.283 in 127 at-bats. But the more alarming batting trend is how he has slumped against right-handed pitching in 2023. Currently, Myers is hitting .196 against right-handers, which is considerably lower than his career batting average of .252. Myers current batting numbers with the Reds are nowhere near what he compiled in eight seasons with the Padres.

His biggest trouble has been plate discipline, which has resulted in a 34.0% strikeout rate and a dismal 8.5% walk percentage. Myers has always been an aggressive hitter, but his selectivity has been off this season. The Friars are looking for a quality hitter who can consistently put the ball in play. They may need to sacrifice power to acquire a player with plus contact skills. 

No one can predict what will happen. But if Myers does not improve at the plate, the Padres attempt to reunite with him will end with little fanfare.

Note: Myers was designated for assignment by Cincinnati shortly after this article was published.

Zack Greinke, RH Starting Pitcher

It is a tradition like no other. Starting pitching will be at a premium before the trade deadline. The Friars could look to strengthen the backend of their rotation for the stretch run. Zack Greinke (1-6 with a 4.65 ERA) might be past his prime as a peak performer on the mound, but he will still be a hot commodity on the trade market.

However, Greinke has failed to show the ability to miss bats consistently, as his fastball averages 89.5 MPH. The results have been a career-high (41%) hard-hit ball rate. The 39-year-old’s strikeout rate is 18.5%, which is near the bottom of starting pitching rankings.

The positives to trade for Greinke include he induces 42.1 % ground ball outs and keeps the ball inside the park (4.1% HR percentage). And he is very durable as Grienke averages 33 starts per season for his 20-year career. 

But questions remain if Greinke can be effective coming out of the pen come October. Without much velocity, he will not miss many bats. Thus, the odds are low for him to become a dependable middle-relief option in the playoffs. The Padres may look to acquire a starting pitcher who can adapt to a swing role out of the pen. Granted, the Friars internal options have not blossomed into quality longman relievers. 

There is a solution, but it is not Greinke.