MLB Trade Rumors: Padres GM Kevin Towers To "Listen" On Offers For Adrian Gonzalez and Heath Bell

by Ray Guilfoyle on Jul 17, 2009 9:30 AM EDT in Baseball

On the day that he announced that Jake Peavy may be done for the season, Padres GM Kevin Towers told a local radio station that he would "need to listen" on offers for 1B Adrian Gonzalez and closer Heath Bell. I can't say that I don't blame him. The Padres need to rebuild, and some scouts have stated that the Padres won't win for another 5 years with the talent they currently have in their system. If that's the case, he HAS to trade both for prospects.

Gonzalez becomes a free agent at the end of the 2010 season (club option for $5.5 million in 2011), similar to Roy Halladay. But, Gonzalez has much more value, in contract terms, as his contract calls for a $3 million salary in 2009, a $4.75 million contract in 2010, and the aforementioned $5.5 million club option in 2011. Any team that trades for him will almost certainly take that option, but may also take the opportunity to sign him long term.

Bell is arbitration eligible at the end of the season and almost certainly will command a salary north of $5 million. Why would the Padres pay their closer that much money when they will lose 90+ games for the foreseeable future? Trading Bell allows the Padres to take their time grooming a closer, or drafting one in an upcoming draft.

Should Towers decide to trade both AGonz and Bell, he will most certainly get a hefty package in return based on their talent levels, as well as their contracts. We have already discussed here on Faketeams what the Padres can get in return for AGonz. Towers could ask for Clay Buchholz, Michael Bowden and Josh Reddick. Lars Anderson may not be the prospect that he was in 2008 according to Kevin Goldstein at Baseball Prospectus.

What about Bell? The Marlins will almost certainly be calling Tower's Blackberry, and Towers could ask for starting pitcher Sean West. West could be a solid starting pitcher for the Padres for years to come.

Should the Padres trade both Adrian Gonzalez and Heath Bell? I want to hear from Faketeam's own Ryan K.

Poll

Should the Padres start their rebuilding this year by trading Adrian Gonzalez and Heath Bell?

Yes. Towers could get alot of quality prospects in return.

78 votes

No, trade Bell, not Gonzalez.

46 votes

Trade Gonzalez and Bell this year. Trade Jake Peavy and Chris Young next year. The rebuilding will take awhile.

91 votes

215 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Stop it

Seriously you’re making me sick with this Gonzalez trade talk. At this point, he’s the one position player the Padres have that is a better batter/fielder at his position than 90% of the league. Every other position player is below to well below average. So to have us talking about trading him Pirates style makes me want to be sick. It would mean we (the Padres) wouldn’t field a potential winner for 1-2 years longer than it’ll already take to turn it around.

I can’t find any reason to trade him given his cost now and in the near future. If this were a fantasy keeper league he’d be keepable at $6. Is that something that would interest you? Yes.

It would take a bundle to trade him.

by RJK on Jul 17, 2009 11:46 PM EDT reply actions