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

It's safe to say that the San Diego Padres are not meeting expectations from the beginning of the season. They are the biggest disappointment this season, ahead of the underachieving New York Mets.

As the MLB trade deadline inches closer and is now just 13 days away, unless the Friars can finish their current 10-game road trip at least 5-1 or 4-2, they are likely going to fall into the selling category instead of buying. They could also just make some minor moves, stand pat and let things play out to assess their roster going into the offseason and 2024.

If GM A.J. Preller decides to sell, the Padres have some pieces that could get them a big haul in return for the future, whether it's not next season or prospects for the future. If San Diego sells, closer Josh Hader will play plenty of suitors for his services for the final two months of the season.

1) Padres trade destinations for Josh Hader: Texas Rangers

The Rangers have already made a move to bolster their bullpen by acquiring flame thrower Aroldis Chapman from the Kansas City Royals on June 30. The return was two minor leaguers, however, it just feels like with the season Hader is having, the Padres could get a better return.

Texas has Chapman along with Will Smith and Josh Sborz on the back end and they can make the game a seven-inning game before their bullpen can come in and close it out. Acquiring Hader would turn the game into a six-inning game before their bullpen can take over.

Texas is trying to hold off the Houston Astros in the American League West and you can bet they will be out looking for help at the trade deadline. With the Rangers' offense, a shutdown bullpen will make them a tough out in a five or seven-game series in October.

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.