The San Diego Padres need pitching help if it wants to contend for the playoffs in the second half of the season, and this veteran could be a nice fit.
The San Diego Padres are in a prolonged slump and have watched its record dwindle to just one game above .500 at 43-42.
After a nice four-game winning streak with victories over the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers, the Padres have dropped five straight and now sit 12 games behind the Dodgers for first place in the National League West and two games behind the final NL wild card spot.
The latest loss was a 23-3 mugging handed out by the Chicago Cubs to complete the three-game sweep, outscoring San Diego 35-12 during the set. The Padres had already lost the season series after losing the middle game of the series but turned to right-hander Walker Buehler to be a stopper.
Buehler has arguably been San Diego’s most reliable starter, but even he wasn’t safe from Chicago’s hot bats. After allowing just one run in each of his past five starts and no more than three over his last nine, the Cubs tagged Buehler for nine runs on seven hits and four walks over four innings of work.
The Padres desperately need to add to its thin starting rotation if it wants to make up ground in the NL West and regain a wild card spot. The offense has been a huge problem as well, but San Diego needs to rely on its star players to pick up the slack and isn’t likely to add an impact bat at the trade deadline.
ESPN’s David Schoenfield believes the Padres should trade for Boston Red Sox right-hander and three-time All-Star Sonny Gray, although it would be tough to pull off for a couple reasons.
Gray has a no-trade clause and is making $31 million this season, but Schoenfield notes that if any executive will make an unconventional trade, it’s A.J. Preller.
“…So going after Gray might be right up his alley, especially if the Padres' new owners are willing to add to the payroll,” Schoenfield wrote Thursday. “Plus, the Padres need to be all-in right now given that their various contract situations will lead to an uncertain future.
“The rotation needs help as well -- bottom third in the majors in ERA -- and that's easier to fix.”
Gray has been outstanding this season and picked up his 2,000th career strikeout in his last outing. He is 9-1 with a 2.69 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 75 strikeouts to 21 walks through 15 starts (83.2 innings).
The veteran righty has been one of the bright spots on an underwhelming Red Sox team, and Boston would likely get a nice haul in return if Gray was convinced to switch teams.
