Headley market heating up; Dodgers, Bucs, O's, D-Backs and Tribe

[Greg]

Headley market heating up; Dodgers, Bucs, O's, D-Backs and Tribe among likely suitors

By Jon Heyman | Baseball Insider

July 5, 2012 3:13 pm ET

The Chase Headley market remains hot, with the Dodgers, Pirates, Indians, Orioles, Diamondbacks and at least two other teams believed to have some level of interest in San Diego's switch-hitting third baseman.

The Padres don't have an aversion to trading within their division, but a touchy recent history (several of the respective teams' executives have switched teams) may make a trade a bit tricky between the Padres and D-Backs.

It shouldn't be a surprise Headley is popular considering the paucity of proven hitters on the trade market. The Padres don't have to trade him, but do have a top prospect, Jedd Gyorko, who seems ready to play third base in San Diego.

The Padres could keep Headley into the winter, when the Braves, Reds and Phillies may join in the hunt for him. Those teams could have third-base openings to fill this winter.

In a weak hitting market, Headley, 28, brings a lot of plusses. The switch hitter makes a reasonable $3.475 million and remains under team control through 2014. He has a career .811 OPS on the road (compared to .666 at PETCO Park), showing his hitting ability goes beyond his overall numbers. He has a .794 OPS overall this year, with eight homers, 41 RBI and a .271 batting average.

[CA-ORIOLE]

Nice to hear a report that we're in it, though I don't really trust much of anything from Heyman.

[MrOrange82]

Nice to hear a report that we're in it, though I don't really trust much of anything from Heyman.

Add to that not having any idea what it might take to acquire Headley, and my general aversion to the OH's tendency to propose "spare parts" trades for other teams' good players, and...yeah, I don't know what being "in it" means.

Headley would be a nice pick-up. Here's hoping a better source (i.e., not Heyman) provides some more detailed information.

[clapdiddy]

I think Headley will require a decent package that could include some guys we really don't want to give away. That being said...since he'd be here through 2014, it might be worth it to make it happen.

[CA-ORIOLE]

I think Headley will require a decent package that could include some guys we really don't want to give away. That being said...since he'd be here through 2014, it might be worth it to make it happen.

Yeah, I'd have said Schoop and Tillman in the past, but not after yesterday.

[clapdiddy]

Yeah, I'd have said Schoop and Tillman in the past, but not after yesterday.

That's what it might take, though.

[LookinUp]

Arrieta and Matusz are my current tradable guys today, but what do I know. Truthfully, our org will need to figure out who we least mind getting rid of and hoping that San Diego is interested. If not, we have a fine fall-back option for next year (Hardy), but it leaves us wanting this year.

[paulcoates]

The 3b free agent market for next year is non existent

[Rene88]

The 3b free agent market for next year is non existent

Yep. I think they can keep him in San Diego. I think they want an Agon type deal. Problem is, he isn't a Agon-type player.

[Mayor McCheese]

Yep. I think they can keep him in San Diego. I think they want an Agon type deal. Problem is, he isn't a Agon-type player.

Please show me where the padres have stated they wanted a top prospect in return??

I have only heard they have needs for: CF and SP and would also need a leadoff hitter.

Avery++ gets this done deal.

[mcgraw238]

I don't know that we have the pieces to acquire Headley unless were willing to do something like Britton & Schoop.

[Frobby]

Since we are in the race, would this make sense?

1. Trade for Headley, giving up some young talent but keeping Bundy and Machado intact.

2. After the season, trade Hardy for prospects/young players, getting back some talent fairly equivalent to what was given up for Headley (obviously, we still might have a net loss of young talent in the two trades combined).

3. Install Machado at SS in 2013.

[LookitsPuck]

Schoop and Matusz.

[sangar]

Since we are in the race, would this make sense?

1. Trade for Headley, giving up some young talent but keeping Bundy and Machado intact.

2. After the season, trade Hardy for prospects/young players, getting back some talent fairly equivalent to what was given up for Headley (obviously, we still might have a net loss of young talent in the two trades combined).

3. Install Machado at SS in 2013.

This is certainly a plausible scenario, but the question it opens is whether Machado will be ready for a starting assignment this soon. Personally, I have doubts.

[Dipper9]

Gregg, Chavez, Paulino, Betemit, and Roberts for Headley.

Come on Double D, make it happen!