After opening the season as one of the best teams in baseball, the San Diego Padres still have a long way to go in challenging the rival Los Angeles Dodgers for a World Series bid.
With a slew of star sluggers, an enviable rotation and a deep bullpen, the Padres only have a few areas of the roster that they can upgrade at the trade deadline. But they’ve already decided on a key spot.
After veteran Jason Heyward was placed on the injured list with a left oblique strain, the team has “begun exploring the trade market for a left fielder,” as Kevin Acee reported for The San Diego Union-Tribune.
And as the team evaluates the options there, Jim Riley of BALLCAP Sports predicted it would eventually land on Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr.
Ridley/Getty
“You put Luis Robert in a clubhouse led by Mike Shildt, you’ve got the veteran leaders there, I think you can get this guy back on track,” Riley said of Robert. “With a team that is playing well, having fun, focused, put Luis Robert in that environment. Do you repair, do you fix Luis Robert with all of those elements? I think that’s your best shot.”
Riley was acknowledging the fact that Robert has struggled to retain his Silver Slugger Award form so far this season, slashing just .191/.277/.309. Robert does, however, have a Major League Baseball-leading 21 steals so far and has flashed the potential to slug 38 homers in his career.
Riley added Robert’s struggles in this final year of a $50 million extension he signed with the White Sox mean that he could be acquired for a relatively low cost by the Padres.
“And if you can get him for a steal, I think you do it, I think you do it if you’re San Diego,” Riley added “If you gave up your 20th prospect for Luis Robert and he stinks, OK, well, he rides the bench.”
Given the low-risk, high-reward nature of a trade for Robert, the Padres could see it as an appealing opportunity to upgrade ahead of the playoffs.
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