MLB Rumors: Padres Offered Chris Paddack In Trade Talks

 

After a disappointing 2021 season, the San Diego Padres have already fired their manager and his entire staff, now must decide if player changes are needed as well. They have apparently considered moving on from young starter Chris Paddack. According to The Athletic's Dennis Lin, the Padres "dangled Paddack when they discussed Max Scherzer with the Nationals" at the trade deadline. 

Paddack had a stellar rookie season in 2019, with a 3.33 ERA and 0.98 WHIP, and looked to be in line to lead the Padres' rotation for years to come. But his 2020 saw his production dip somewhat, and then came a disastrous 2021, when Paddack was riddled with a variety of injuries, and finished the year with a 5.07 ERA and saw his K/9 drop from about 10 in his rookie year. to just 8.2. 

The 26-year-old suffered from an oblique strain and a UCL strain last season, as well as missing time due to COVID-19. 

The Padres were anxious to make the Scherzer trade, and seemed to have a deal in place, before the Los Angeles Dodgers swooped in. And the second half of the season in San Diego continued to plummet to new depths from there. 

The team quickly dropped out of the playoff race, suffered through public fights amongst star players in their dugout, fired their pitching coach in late August, and were so desperate they even resorted to bringing in the dreadful Jake Arrieta (he of the 7.39 ERA and .320 batting average against). 

How anxious they'll be to deal a young arm like Paddack that still has potential remains to be seen.

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