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.