Trade Deadline: Relief Pitching Targets For Dodgers
Surprise Guest: Joaquin Benoit
The Padres signed Benoit to pair with Huston Street at the back of their bullpen this past off-season, which gave them a formidable pair of relievers to close out games.
Having dealt Street, there’s no reason to hang onto Benoit, who is now 36 and is owed roughly $10 million through 2015. As you’d expect, he’s had a good season pitching half his games at Petco Park.
What The Padres Might Want: Joc Pederson
There seems to be a trend here. San Diego got the Angels second best prospect in the Street deal, as well as a relief arm. However, Anaheim has a terrible farm system and Taylor Lindsay wouldn’t be in the Dodgers’ top-10. But it never hurts to ask.
What The Padres Might Take: Darnell Sweeney, Chris Reed
Sweeney is a good athlete and has performed very well in Double-A while playing shortstop, second base and center field. He would give the Padres a versatile offensive piece who’s close to the majors.
Reed gives them another arm who will probably put up great numbers for a year or two and eventually move to the bullpen.
Deal or No Deal: NO DEAL
Again, this comes down to finances. Benoit is owed $8 million next year, which would give the Dodgers five relievers making $4 million or more. While the budget hasn’t been a problem yet, you don’t want to bog down payroll obligations to relievers.
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