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

For the San Diego Padres, the time for patience is over.

Baseball’s trade market should become more active as the deadline approaches (August 1). Each team’s front office staff will evaluate and identify the weaknesses on their roster. 

The San Diego Padres have been disappointing, but the National League postseason picture is wide open. And the right player move can change their fortunes immediately. However, one poor decision could hurt their chances of playing October baseball.

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

Aroldis Chapman, LH Reliever

Aroldis Chapman did not attract much interest as a free agent this past offseason. Teams shied away because of his struggles in limited work with the New York Yankees in 2022. The seven-time All-Star battled through injuries (Achilles tendon and infected wound from a tattoo) and could never gain any momentum on the mound. 

Chapman lost his closer role as he allowed 52 baserunners in 36.1 innings pitched. The Yankees were wary of the dwindling strikeout numbers (44 Ks in 43 appearances) that translated to a modest 26.9% strikeout ratio. His struggles throwing strikes resulted in an increased (17.5%) walk percentage for 2022. All the above numbers were his worst since the 2018 season.

Eventually, Chapman signed a $3.7 million deal with the Kansas City Royals that included no bonus escalators for meeting certain performance criteria in the season. Calling 2023 a “rebounding” season is putting it mildly for him. Chapman has struck out 41 batters in 23.1 IP. His strikeout ratio (41.8%) is the highest it has been since 2020. But he has allowed 30 baserunners in 26 appearances.

The Friars bullpen is very much in need of reinforcements, as the starting rotation has failed to go deep in games. But there are doubts about whether Chapman can continue pitching at this level for the next three months. The Padres do not need another reliever with control issues. Chapman must improve his ability to attack the strike zone to become a possible trade deadline candidate. The Friars must feel comfortable with his effectiveness as a setup reliever before giving assets away in a trade.

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.