Over the past few seasons the San Diego Padres have not been afraid to make moves. Owner Peter Seidler has been very active in free agency, the trade market, and also has been handing out contract extensions. It appears that he may not be done either as Dennis Lin, writer for The Athletic, has suggested that three Brewers starting pitchers are on the Padres trade target radar.
Three Brewers pitchers have been listed as trade targets for the Padres.
Lin suggests that Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, and Adrian Houser could all be on the Padres radar. He lists the fact that because both starters are entering their penultimate year before free agency, the Brewers might look to move them and shed payroll if they fail to stay in contention.
Timing wise, a trade for Burnes or Woodruff would benefit the Padres for Blake Snell is set to become a free agent at seasons end. He also states that the Padres have had prior interest in Adrian Houser.
As for the center piece of a trade for either Burnes or Woodruff, Lin suggests that Jackson Merrill could headline a potential trade package. Merrill, a 19 year old shortstop, was drafted 27th overall out of Severna Park High School in Maryland during the 2021 draft.
Injuries limited Merrill to just 45 games in A ball last season (.325/.387/.482 slash) and as a result he ended up playing in the Arizona Fall League. In the AFL he became one of the most talked about prospects. His biggest goal in 2023 will be staying healthy, in which if he does he could quickly ascend through the Minor Leagues.
For now it appears that Lin’s suspicions are solely based on if the Brewers fall out of playoff contention. There was a big fallout between players and management last year after Josh Hader was traded despite the team leading the division. It seems unlikely that Milwaukee makes that same mistake again this year.
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