As the weather gets colder in some parts of the country, the baseball hot stove is getting hotter.
San Diego Padres’ 3B, Chase Headley, is being reported to be on the trade block. The former Sliver Slugger and Gold Glove winner in 2012 is being rumored to be a target for the New York Yankees.
With the uncertainty of All Star 3B, Alex Rodriguez over his possible suspension, the Yankees make sense as they try to stay competitive in the tough AL East.
Another team rumored are the Cleveland Indians. After a surprise season, where they made the playoffs, is this a move that could help Cleveland take that next step?
Headley, is coming off a tough year where injuries took away the power he displayed in 2012. If that was the reason for his struggles, then someone could wind up with a heck of a 3B in 2014.
The Padres already making moves as they agree on a deal with oft-injured pitcher, Josh Johnson. Johnson, give the Padres another arm, at a reasonable cost to a team trying to compete in a division with the high spending Dodgers and the two time, World Series champion, Giants.
With a small market like San Diego, trading Headley could help in getting back players that could fill other voids on the team. What they get in return remains to be seen if they trade him as GM Josh Byrnes stated, “Putting him into a team context… we’ve worked hard to put a good offense together. Our pitching’s caught up, and if our position players are all there, I think we do feel like in 2014, a healthier team that’s going to take a real step forward.”
So the question might not be when, but if they trade him. Curious to see if the Padres view themselves close to contending in 2014 and if so, does Headley fit in those plans?