5 trade destinations for Josh Hader should the San Diego Padres decide to sell

2) Padres trade destinations for Josh Hader: New York Yankees

Since the All-Star break, no team in the majors has struggled at the backend of games more than the New York Yankees. They are having trouble just getting the ball to their closer Clay Holmes against two inferior teams in the Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Angels.

Sitting in the basement of the American League East and just a couple of games back in the Wild Card, this could be a make-or-break trade deadline for GM Brian Cashman and manager Aaron Boone. Their jobs could very well be on the line and there may be major changes if they don't make the postseason or get eliminated early. Right now, a big reason why they are in the basement of the AL East is because of their backend.

Yes, their offense has struggled in the absence of Aaron Judge, but their bullpen is lacking a dominating left-hander and that one extra reliever to get the ball to Holmes. Gerrit Cole pitched well enough against the Rockies on Sunday to pick up another win, but their bullpen blew the game in the late innings. Luis Severino pitched well against the Angels on Monday, but again, the bullpen fell apart late before getting the ball to Holmes.

The pressure is on the Yankees and in situations like this, Cashman has made deadline moves and sometimes he's overpaid for a player despite Hader being a free agent after the season, he would fit in very well in their bullpen.

3) Padres trade destinations for Josh Hader: Boston Red Sox

A month ago, it was hard to envision seeing the Boston Red Sox as buyers, but they have played very well over the last month, climbed out of the AL East basement, and are very much alive for a Wild Card spot.

Their starting rotation has been hit hard with injuries, but they have been getting young arms like Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford to step up and carry the load, along with using an opener every fifth day. GM Chaim Bloom is in search of arms for his bullpen and Hader is a difference-maker that would create a tough 1-2 combination with veteran All-Star Kenley Jansen.

The futures of Chris Sale, Garrett Whitlock, and Corey Kluber are still up in the air, but Nick Pivetta has been very good for Boston out of the pen as they are looking to build from the backend out. Offensively, the Red Sox are mashing the ball and their pitching has held up, but getting a backend arm as good as Hader's is a game-changer in the Wild Card race.

The Red Sox generally don't buy high under Bloom, but this team right now feels different, and getting an arm like Hader's is a big advantage in a postseason series.

4) Padres trade destinations for Josh Hader: Philadelphia Phillies

As the Padres saw over the weekend, the Philadelphia Phillies are in a much better spot for a playoff berth than they are. Dave Dombrowski has never been one to shy away from making a deadline splash.

The Phillies have been linked to Juan Soto and the jury is still out on whether or not Preller decides to trade the star just one year after acquiring him from the Washington Nationals. He still has one year remaining on his contract for 2024, but Hader is a free agent and someone who would bolster the backend of Philadelphia's bullpen.

Despite showing some leaks against San Diego in winning three out of four, they were able to outpitch the Friars' pen over the weekend to put more separation between them and the Padres in the standings. Craig Kimbrel has been money for manager Rob Thomson this season with 15 saves, but they have had some trouble getting the ball to him.

Matt Strahm has been Thomson's top option from the left side and adding another option with Hader to join Jose Alvarado gives the Phillies multiple matchup options late in games in the regular season.

5) Padres trade destinations for Josh Hader: Los Angeles Dodgers

Ok, so maybe Preller would not help a division rival. However, the Los Angeles Dodgers are the Yankees of the National League, in need of arms, especially in the bullpen.

The Dodgers' bullpen trouble hit rock bottom in early June and now they have 12 pitchers currently on the IL, including five starters. Getting the ball to the bullpen with their starters, or spot starters, has not been the problem, it's what happens sometimes when manager Dave Roberts or pitching coach Mark Prior summons someone from the pen.

The current state of the L.A. bullpen is so bad that they called on journeyman Ryan Brasier to close out a 6-4 win over the Baltimore Orioles Monday night. Phil Bickford and Evan Phillips are carrying the load out of the Dodgers pen, but getting Hader adds a piece they clearly need.

Trading Hader to the Dodgers would be tough for Preller to do, however, L.A. has a good crop of prospects that can be used in a potential deal. Like everyone else, Los Angeles is chasing the Atlanta Braves and an arm like Hader's can be pivotal late in games in postseason.

Preller parting ways with Hader or Blake Snell would signal a selling mode, but at this point, his options can be very limited. Getting some good prospects back and maybe a body for next season would be the way he should try and go.