The San Diego Padres are looking to sell at the trade deadline and players like Justin Upton, Craig Kimbrel, James Shields, Tyson Ross, Andrew Cashner, Will Venable and Joaquin Benoit are all potential options to move and this comes after David Price and Cole Hamels have been traded and teams like the Yankees, Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs could be options if Starlin Castro or Javier Baez are in the mix.
Ross is looking like the player most likely to move, as Ken Rosenthal reports for Fox Sports that the team is looking at a deal with Ross as a "key piece". Ross has pitched very well this season and he is likely to get moved at the deadline. Shields has been shopped, but teams do not want to take on his contract. Kimbrel has been rumored to be a Yankees target and with Michael Pineda injured, they may look at a starter over a reliever this time.
Justin Upton has been getting attention since he is heading into free agency and the Mets could be an option after the Carlos Gomez deal fell apart. The team has been looking to add a bat in the outfield and Upton could be an option. The team reportedly could not agree on compensation and this comes as the Orioles have also been interested. The Orioles reportedly could go after a pitcher along with Upton in a deal with the Padres.
The Cubs reportedly have talked to the Padres about Castro and SB Nation reports that the Padres are more interested in Javier Baez. The Cubs have been mentioned in connection with pitchers on the market and they could afford to move Castro, as they have Addison Russell ready to take over. The Cubs could go after Ross, as the team is looking to add controllable pieces over rentals. The Cubs need another starter and after getting linked with David Price, Ross could be a nice consolation.
The Houston Astros and Padres are reportedly working on a deal, as Yahoo Sports reports the sides have been talking. Cashner has been mentioned in talks, but Dennis Lin reports that the Astros are more interested in Ross. The Astros reportedly had a deal ready to move for Cole Hamels, but he would not approve a trade there. The Astros already added Scott Kazmir and now they could go after someone like Ross to add a pitcher.
Ross has been strong this season and he could be a fit for the Cubs, as he has put up a 3.38 ERA and has been putting up over a strikeout per inning. The Yankees have looked at Kimbrel, but they could be into Cashner or someone like Mike Leake now that Michael Pineda is on the DL.
Check here for more on potential trades with the Padres and Ross along with Upton and Kimbrel.
