Sports Time Radio

While the Major League Baseball off season is still moving along slowly we did get some action these last few days and it was all because of one team. The San Diego Padres made two trades and one signing that looks like it could make them World Series contenders in 2021.

The Padres added two frontline starting pitchers and they used their very well stocked farm system to make these deals.

First the Padres went out and acquired former Cy Young award winner Blake Snell from the Tampa Bay Rays for three prospects and catcher Francisco Mejia. The Padres did give up their top pitching prospect Luis Patino in this deal along with catcher Blake Hunt and right handed pitcher Cole Wilcox. Then the Padres sent four prospects and right hander Zach Davies to the Chicago Cubs for starting pitcher Yu Darvish and catcher Victor Caratini. The Cubs will get 17 year old shortstop Reginald Preciado, 18 year old outfielders Owen Caissie and Ismael Mena and 20 year old shortstop Yeison Santana. None of the four prospects the Cubs received in this deal where ranked in the Padres Top 10.

Now remember the Padres will be without starting pitcher Mike Clevenger this season due to Tommy John surgery, but with the additions of Snell and Darvish it will help make up for the loss of Clevenger.

The Padres add Snell and Darvish to a rotation that has Dinelson Lamet and Chris Paddock in it. It looks like the 5th spot in the Padres starting rotation will go to one of their young pitching prospects. You have to think that MacKenzie Gore and Adrian Morejon will be two of the pitchers competing for that 5th spot in the starting rotation.

San Diego wasn’t done after adding Snell and Darvish. The Padres also signed Korean second baseman Ha-Seong Kim to a 4 year $25 million dollar deal. The Padres will also have to pay a $5 million dollar release fee to the Kiwoon Heroes; Kim’s Korean Baseball Organization team.

Kim spent the last two years of his seven year KBO career with the Heroes. Last season he hit .306 with 30 home runs and 109 RBI’s. Kim also stole 23 bases and walked more times 75 than he struck out 68.

The Padres are hoping that Kim will take over as the full time second baseman. If Kim can fill that role for San Diego it would allow the Padres to use Jake Cronenworth as a utility player. Cronenworth has shown the ability to play all four infield position as well as both corner outfield positions. Second base seemed to be the Padres only hole in their line up and if Kim can nail down the position for them it would give manager Jayce Tingler a lot more options off his bench.

Now the Rays weren’t done making moves after the trade of Snell either. Tampa Bay was involved in a three team trade that saw them send left handed reliever Jose Alvarado to the Philadelphia Phillies. The Rays will receive minor league first baseman Dillion Paulson and a player to be named later or cash considerations from the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers in return will get left handed pitcher Garrett Cleavinger from the Phillies.

Now the Phillies bullpen seemed to be their downfall last season; so the addition of Alvarado should help. Alvarado only pitched in 9 regular season games and 2 post season last season due to injury, but Alvarado should give the Phillies a pitcher who can get left handed hitters out in tight spots.

It was nice to see the Major League Baseball off season market get a bit of a jump, but you have to wonder when will see another move. Also while these moves where nice to see and fun to talk and write about there still haven’t been any major free agent signings or even anything suggesting that we’re close to a big time signing. Hopefully it won’t be too long before there’s something else to talk about.

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