Advertisement
Advertisement

Well-stocked farm key for Preller’s moves

Padres pitching prospect Max Fried was the centerpiece of the deal bringing Braves outfielder Justin Upton to San Diego.
Padres pitching prospect Max Fried was the centerpiece of the deal bringing Braves outfielder Justin Upton to San Diego.
( / Jeff Nycz (Mid-South Images))
Share

Rumors of a Padres’ farm system devoid of talent have been greatly exaggerated. Clearly.

First-year General Manager A.J. Preller on Friday morning was closing in on his fourth major trade in over a week, this time netting Justin Upton from the Braves, according to a baseball source.

The return? Prospects only, none of whom were considered the cream of the Padres’ crop, likely one of baseball’s five best systems.

Advertisement

At least before Preller got his hands on it.

The Padres are sending left-hander Max Fried, shortstop Jace Peterson, third baseman Dustin Peterson and outfielder Mallex Smith to the Braves for one year of Upton and a low-level prospect, a source confirmed for U-T San Diego. CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman first reported the details of the latest swap.

To recap the last eight days:

The Padres get Upton, Matt Kemp, Wil Myers and Derek Norris without giving up any of their top three starting pitchers (Andrew Cashner, Tyson Ross and Ian Kennedy). And they’ve hung onto their three most-coveted prospects: outfielder Hunter Renfroe, right-hander Matt Wisler and catcher Austin Hedges.

Win.

Sure, it hurts to lose right-hander Jesse Hahn in the Norris trade and shortstop prospect Trea Turner in the Myers deal, but Wisler should compete right away for that rotation vacancy alongside the risk/reward signings of Josh Johnson and Brandon Morrow (when/if healthy).

Then again, that’s what farm systems are for.

Preller is getting all kinds of good press for pulling the trigger on these deals, but credit Josh Byrnes’ deposed regime for stocking the cupboards well.

Advertisement