MLB Trade Rumors: San Diego Padres Won't Obtain Jurickson Profar from Rangers
The excitement is increasing in the Heath Bell sweepstakes.
Yesterday, Friday July 29, Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported that the Texas Rangers were still the front-runner for Bell. The San Diego Padres asked for left-hander Derek Holland and 18-year-old shortstop Jurickson Profar.
Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News is among those who "know" that the Rangers will not part with Profar, who comes from Curacao.
Reports vary, some claiming that his unusual polish as an 18-year-old has helped him against inexperienced competition. Regardless, it is generally agreed upon that he sure to be a Major League-caliber shortstop.
Holland is another matter. The Rangers would be willing to include him or minor league Robbie Erlin in a deal for Bell, but there will be no trade unless the Padres receive a left-handed pitcher.
Another pitcher mentioned as possibly going to the Padres is Joe Wieland, although he is a right-hander. Last night, Wieland threw a no-hitter against the Padres' AA San Antonio affiliate.
Wieland was the Rangers’ fourth-round pick in 2008. This season at Frisco in the Texas League, he is 4-0 with a 1.23 ERA. He has allowed 35 hits in 44 innings with a 1.045 WHIP.
This morning, the Union-Tribune's Bill Center wrote that negotiations between the Padres and Rangers have reached a stand off, but that is subject to change as the tomorrow's deadline gets closer.
Holding up any deal for Bell is the Padres' insistence that they receive two top prospects, which is what they would get in the draft if Bell walked away after the season.
Other teams are or were interested in Bell, but the Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Angels are now considered long shots.
Starting pitcher Aaron Harang will face starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez today when the Padres face the Colorado Rockies.
The rampant rumor is that the Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers, fighting for the American League Central Division crown, are the teams most interested in Harang. Think there will be a few scouts in the stands?
The asking price for Mike Adams might be too high as he, if Bell goes, would take over the closer's role.
The Padres will probably trade reliever Chad Qualls, who had done a fine job (3.37 ERA) in late-inning work.
Most teams (read that as the Atlanta Braves and Cleveland Indians) realize that trading for Ryan Ludwick is a gamble. The Braves have no intention of being forced to do something due to their injury-decimated outfield.
Padres general manager Jed Hoyer has no illusions about the current roster. Speaking on the Padres' flagship station, XX 1090, he said, "You'd be crazy not to make some moves for the future. We don't have the talent base here in order to be successful."
