Written by Rick Weiner at Bleacher Report.com
With Opening Day rapidly approaching, MLB teams are beginning to scramble in an attempt to shore up whatever weak spots may exist on their respective rosters, with one eye on the waiver wire and the other on the trade market.
The idea that substantial trades can’t take place this close to the start of the regular season is a bogus one. If there’s a deal to be made that both teams feel good about, it can take place at any time. After all, it was only a year ago that the Atlanta Braves traded All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel to the San Diego Padres, only hours before the first game of the regular season got underway.
Speaking of San Diego, the rebuilding-on-the-fly Padres factor significantly into the trade ideas we’re about to delve into, dealing away a pair of high-profile players while taking one back in return (along with a handful of prospects).
But the Padres aren’t the only team in position to pull off a win-win deal before Opening Day. Let’s take a look at a handful of players who are in limbo with their current clubs and whose names have floated around the rumor mill and could wind up elsewhere over the next few days.
Keep in mind these proposed deals are only ideas and pure speculation. Unless otherwise noted, there’s no indication that any of them has actually been discussed.
Kevin Quackenbush Gets Traded to the Mariners
San Diego Gets: LHP Jake Brentz
Seattle Gets: RHP Kevin Quackenbush
The Rumor
Sources tell The News Tribune‘s Bob Dutton that San Diego and Seattle have been discussing a potential trade revolving around three relievers: Jon Edwards, Kevin Quackenbush and Nick Vincent.
Why It Makes Sense for the Padres
San Diego would be selling low on Quackenbush, whose ERA rose by more than a run-and-a-half from 2.48 in 2014 to 4.01 last year, but moving a middle reliever for an intriguing starting pitching prospect is a deal the rebuilding Padres can afford to make.
Drafted as a left fielder by Toronto in the 11th round of the 2013 draft, Jake Brentz is still raw on the mound and finding his way as a pitcher. But his fastball consistently sits in the low 90s, touching 96 mph, and he has the makings of a quality breaking ball and changeup as well.
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