The San Diego Padres, a team the Orioles play four times in the next week, very much remind me of the Orioles of the mid-2000s. They’ve been wandering around baseball’s mediocre wilderness for years, and their plan isn’t particularly clear.
The Padres tried to go all-in two winters ago, and it didn’t work. So they’ve traded off some stars – most notably closer Craig Kimbrel and starter James Shields – and are looking to go younger and cheaper. But with high-priced veterans such as Matt Kemp and Melvin Upton Jr. on the roster, they still haven’t exactly chosen to fully rebuild.
The Padres, however, are expected to be one of the primary sellers this summer. They have some intriguing pieces, such as closer Fernando Rodney, who is shooting fake arrows at an impressive rate so far this year, and first baseman/outfielder Wil Myers, a former Rookie of the Year with the Tampa Bay Rays who is having a healthy and productive season at age 25.
Rodney, who hasn’t allowed an earned run in 25 games this season, is considered by some the most likely player in the majors to be dealt at the non-waiver trade deadline. Myers surely would yield a good haul if the Padres make him available.
Dennis Lin, the Padres beatwriter for the San Diego Union-Tribune, joined “Around the Beat” this week to provide some insight on the Padres as they begin a two-game series at Camden Yards on Tuesday. The Orioles then go to Petco Park for two games next week.
Lin breaks down what went wrong with the Padres this year, who he thinks may get dealt and the Padres’ blueprint for the future.
He also sheds a little light on the of the newest Orioles, right-hander Odrisamer Despaigne, whom Lin covered for parts of two seasons in San Diego.
Give it a listen.
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