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“TRADE DEADLINE IS COMING”
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We are 10-days out from the July 31st trade deadline.
And we have a pennant race in the NL-West, because the Dodgers once big 9-game lead is now down to 3-and-a half games.
It’s because the Dodgers are battered by injuries.
It’s because the Padres are getting stellar pitching and playing bad teams.
But over the next 10-days the world in the NL-West can change.
Money is no object at Dodgers Stadium, despite the fact they have a (383M) payroll and a tax payroll that is up to (408M) this year. The Dodgers have already run up a (151M) luxury tax bill due at the end of the season.
The Padres are at a top limit of (211M) payroll and will have at least a (5M) tax payment due in October.
The bigger story is there seems no limit to the creative ability of Dodgers President Andrew Friedman to make deals at the deadline to strengthen the team.
The real story seems to be Padres ownership, whether it is the Seidler family, or President Eric Greupner have told decision maker AJ Preller he cannot add salary unless they delete salary.
So the Dodgers could creatively move someone off the big league roster, maybe P-Dustin May in a significant deal to get a closer or a 3rd baseman.
Or the Dodgers could turn around and deal young pitching like Bobby Miller or Emmett Sheehan in a package. Beyond that the Dodgers are loaded with young outfielders like Josua DePaula, Zahir Hope or other AA-prospects to go get what they want-need.
What they want is Cleveland closer Emmanuel Clase or possibly Cardinals 3rd baseman Nolan Arenado.
By the Padres standpoint, there seems nothing at AAA-El Paso that could be used to make a deal of consequence. There is pitching at AA and strong numbers of arms at Class A.
But the payroll issue is an issue. If the mandate to Preller is move salary if you want to take on salary, then that means an established big leaguer must go. Does that mean Robert Suarez, Dylan Cease of Jake Cronenworth exit. Those are all 10M-contracts and that would allow the GM to take on a contract of equal value.
But you are creating a hole on your roster to fill another hole on your roster. Are you better off patching and filling that way?
And you are also in danger of damaging some unique chemistry that has formed in the Padres bullpen or in that lineup.
Ten days and counting and the rumor mill says both teams will do something. Shall be interesting to see who makes a deal, who blinks first, who gives up what, or who panics.
The trade deadline is coming fast and there will be changes on both rosters by the morning of August 1st.
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