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After straddling the fence on whether to buy or sell at the trade deadline for the last couple of weeks, the San Diego Padres have decided to become sellers, according to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com. Knobler says that word at Sunday's Futures Game at Citi Field was that the "Padres are open for business", and will listen on almost anyone on the roster. The team has lost fourteen of their last fifteen games and has fallen to 42-54 on the season.
In recent weeks, the Padres have been in hot pursuit of pitchers like Jake Arrieta, Ricky Nolasco and Matt Garza. Arrieta (Cubs) and Nolasco (Dodgers) have since been traded, and Garza will likely be traded to one of the many teams interested in him by the end of the week. San Diego is no longer considered a possibility for the right-hander, and have decided to stop pursuing starting pitching due to the belief that they are no longer in contention in the NL West.
Knobler opines that the Padres could move starter Edinson Volquez or closer Huston Street before the trade deadline, and that some of the team's other bullpen arms could be available. Luke Gregerson and Dale Thayer could help contenders down the stretch, and the team may also look to move veteran starter Jason Marquis, who is a free agent after the season.
With the abundance of arms potentially available in trades, the Padres are not eager to move star third baseman Chase Headley. The 29-year old is hitting only .230 with 7 HR and 31 RBI on the season, and is under team control through the 2014 season. He has drawn a strong amount of trade interest from teams like the Yankees in the past, but his struggles this year lead some to believe that his trade value has been lowered significantly. With the Padres in no rush to move Headley and his value low, it is unexpected (but not impossible) that he will be moved before the 31st.
Other players who could possibly be moved in the next couple weeks include outfielders Carlos Quentin, Mark Kotsay and Kyle Blanks, who is currently injured.
