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TRADEABLE COMMODITIES, part 2 by Jason Martinez sdpadrefan.com posted 5/16/08 In part one of the series, I addressed the few players the team might be willing to trade that could actually bring back some good talent. Part two will address a few veterans that will be free agents at the end of the season and could help a team in contention in July. If the team continues to lose series after series, the timetable for trading these players could move up to June. 1. Greg Maddux, RHP: There's no question that Maddux's presence on a contending ballclub will have a positive influence whether he's pitching well or not. However, his current performance will factor in to the type of players the Padres will get in return. For those of you hoping that a Maddux trade will net the team a top prospect, think again. Two seasons ago, Maddux, who was 9-11 for the Cubs with a 4.69 ERA, was traded to the Dodgers for middle infielder Cesar Itzuris, who really didn't have a position in Los Angeles after the acquisitions of Rafael Furcal and Jeff Kent. The Dodgers were also taking on Maddux's salary, which was considerably larger than Itzuris'. So what could the team get in return? In my opinion, maybe a second-tier minor league prospect or a major-league ready reliever. Bottom line, this could be the 42 year-old Maddux's last season. Trading him would be more about allowing him to play with a competitor in what could be his last season. 2. Randy Wolf, LHP: The 31 year-old starter is probably second-guessing his decision to sign with the punchless Padres. However, he looks healthy and he has been pitching well, aside from a few bad outings. They could try to sign him to an extension, but given his injury history, that would be a huge gamble. Look for Wolf to be moved before the trading deadline, although they probably wouldn't get more than a few minor league prospects in return. Best-case scenario, they can get a return similar to the Scott Linebrink trade when they received the Brewers' #3 prospect (Will Inman), a major-league ready reliever (Joe Thatcher), and another decent prospect (Steve Garrison). 3. Brian Giles, OF: Put Giles in the middle of the Padres lineup and he is exposed as a player who is a few years past his prime. Put him in the #6 hole for a good-hitting team like the Indians, the club that drafted Giles back in 1989, and all of a sudden, he is a productive veteran that can upgrade an Indians offense that is last in the AL in batting average and 10th in OBP. David Dellucci has been getting the majority of playing time against RHP's in left field. I think it would be a good fit. Giles would definitely be an upgrade. The Padres probably wouldn't be getting much in return because the team that gets him will have to take on his remaining salary, plus pay next season's salary or his $3 million buyout. 4. Tadahito Iguchi, 2B: How about a multi-player deal with the Indians? Cleveland could also use an upgrade at second base, as Asdrubal Cabrera has struggled to a .196 batting average. After a slow start, Iguchi has been much better the last few weeks and his veteran presence will defintiely help any contending team. Look for the Padres to hold on to Iguchi right up until the All-Star break to give Matt Antonelli a few more months to prove he is ready. If not, the Padres could give Edgar Gonzalez a look if Iguchi is traded. However, trading Iguchi is not a sure thing. The Phillies acquired him last season for a fringe prospect who was playing in A-ball. If the Padres don't get a good offer, they could let him leave as a free agent and receive a compensatory draft pick instead of settling for a low-level, fringe prospect. 5. Michael Barrett, C: It looks like Barrett will be starting a rehab assignment very soon. If he can get back to the Padres sometime in June, the Padres will have at least a month to showcase him. As far as I'm concerned, he should be given the chance to start the majority of the games, especially if the Padres want to trade him. However, don't expect the Padres to do better than the two fringe players (Rob Bowen and Kyler Burke) they sent the Cubs to obtain Barrett last season. Unless the team can miraculously get back in the race, this move would be necessary to make room for Nick Hundley, who the team will probably want to take a look at before the season is over. |