San Diego Padres general manager traded closer Craig Kimbrel to the Boston Red Sox on Friday in exchange for four prospects to help rebuild the organization's depleted farm system. Rumors suggest Preller isn't done with overhauling the team just yet.
A number of MLB clubs have already been active on the trade market and it looks like that will continue throughout the offseason. The Padres are one of those teams, having already made three trades with the Red Sox, Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees.
"The larger question, of course, is where the Padres go from here," ponders FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal. "One exec predicts that Preller will go 'full rebuild' - right-hander Ian Kennedy turned down the Pads' qualifying offer, the team is shopping righty Tyson Ross and also is looking to move Matt Kemp, according to major-league sources."
Rosenthal wonders if the Pads are looking to package Ross with Kemp kind of like how the Braves tacked on Melvin Upton Jr. with Kimbrel in last year's trade with San Diego. Kemp, 31, is owed $86 million over the next four seasons and it's possible he may have suitors after batting .265/.312/.443 with 80 runs scored, 23 home runs and 100 RBI last year.
"Such a move would lessen the return on Ross at a time when the Padres badly need to replenish their system. In any case, it's difficult to know exactly what Preller is thinking."
Before the trade deadline a number of clubs contacted the Padres about Ross' availability considering he's under club control through 2017 and went 23-26 with a 3.03 ERA in his first two seasons as a full-time starter (2014-2015). The Red Sox and Chicago Cubs were among those interested and they're likely exploring the trade market for a starter this offseason.
Ross, 28, is a good asset for the Padres to part ways with because it doesn't look like they'll be contending in the next couple of years. With a demand for starting pitching throughout the MLB, the Pads could certainly move Ross and either get good value or work on shedding costly contracts such as Kemp's.
Rumors have also suggested San Diego is interested in free agent shortstop Ian Desmond, as Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. As Preller continues to lower the payroll for 2016 (Kimbrel and Benoit were owed a combined $19 million), the team may have money for Desmond, who is expected to command a long-term deal.
Rosenthal confirmed their interest in Desmond as well, but also noted the Pads could have other plans down the road if they were to sign him.
"Signing Desmond would cost the Pads a second-round pick, but Preller also could view him as a trade asset who eventually could bring a greater return. Good players can help accelerate the building process; Desmond could bridge the gap to [Javier] Guerra, then move on."
Guerra, 20, was acquired from the Red Sox in the Kimbrel deal. He reached Class-A Greenville this past season and batted .279/.329/.449 with 64 runs scored, 15 home runs and 68 RBI, so he could be ready for his MLB debut in a couple of years.
Preller surprised many last offseason and he's already doing the same this offseason. He's been forced to get creative after last year's overhaul didn't work, so don't put anything past the second-year GM.
