San Diego Padres Trade Rumors

Padres Forum Top 3
Moorad group to finalize purchase of Padres
January 10
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Jeff Moorad's gradual acquisition of the Padres is expected to be completed Thursday. Nearly three years after negotiating an installment purchase of the franchise from John Moores, Moorad's limited partnership is poised to make the final payment subject to the approval of three-quarters of Major League Baseball ownership at a meeting in Paradise Valley, Ariz. "It's 100 percent done," Moores told MLB.com. "I couldn't be more pleased. Jeff's remaining payment of all cash went into escrow in mid-December. I remain impressed that Jeff has done everything he said he would do.""
Cubs acquire 1B Rizzo from San Diego in 4-player deal
January 6
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Cubs acquired top first base prospect Anthony Rizzo from San Diego Friday in a four-player deal that will send former first-round pick Andrew Cashner to the Padres. Rizzo, a left-handed hitting slugger who was drafted by Boston under Theo Epstein's regime and acquired by Jed Hoyer in San Diego last winter as part of the prospect package in the Adrian Gonzalez deal, is expected to be the full-time first baseman. Rizzo, 22, hit .331 at Triple-A Tucson last year with 26 home runs and 101 RBIs, with a 423 on-base percentage and .652 slugging percentage. He was ranked the No. 3 prospect in the Padres system, and made his major league debut for San Diego in 2011, struggling with a .141"
Could Padres' next move be contract extensions?
January 2
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"The acquisition of left fielder Carlos Quentin on Saturday raised an interesting question regarding the Padres. Quentin is eligible for free agency at the end of the 2012 season. So, did the Padres acquire Quentin as a one-year rental, who could be traded as soon as the July 31 deadline? Or, did they acquire the slugger with an idea of signing him to a long-term contract and head the franchise in a new direction? "We don't have any commitments to 2013 and beyond," Padres General Manager Josh Byrnes said Sunday morning. "But we do have choices and decisions to make."
Sox trade Quentin to Padres for two minor league pitchers
December 31
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Chicago White Sox traded outfielder Carlos Quentin and his potential $8 million salary to the San Diego Padres for a pair of pitching prospects. The Sox received right-hander Simon Castro and lefty Pedro Hernandez, neither of whom has appeared in the big leagues. Castro, 23, went 7-8 with a 5.63 ERA in 22 starts between Classes AA and AAA. He is 29-33 in six seasons in the Padres' organization. Two seasons ago, Castro not only started the minor league All-Star Futures Game, but was named Padres pitcher of the year while going 10-6 wityh a 3.33 ERA. Hernandez, 22, went 10-3 with a 3.49 ERA in 28 games at three different minor league levels. He has split time between starting and"
Source: Padres deal Latos to Reds
December 17
Foxsports.com
 
"The Reds got the top-of-the-rotation starter they wanted, acquiring right-hander Mat Latos from the Padres on Saturday. In return, the Padres received right-handed pitchers Edinson Volquez and Brad Boxberger, infielder Yonder Alonso and catcher Yasmani Grandal. Latos, 24, will join right-hander Johnny Cueto, 25, to give the Reds a young, dynamic 1-2 starting punch. The Reds will control Latos for four years; he is not eligible for arbitration until 2013. Latos was 9-14 with a 3.47 ERA for the Padres last season after going 14-10 with a 2.92 ERA in 2010."
Padres close to trading for Huston Street
December 7
CBSSports.com
 
"The San Diego Padres are very close to acquiring closer Huston Street from the Rockies in a trade, CBSSports.com's Danny Knobler has learned. Knobler reports the deal is "basically done" and that it will be for a player to be named later. The move marks a salary dump for the Rockies, as the Padres will pay Street's $7.5 million in 2012. The biggest factor in the Rockies making this move was clearing salary to go after starting pitching, Scott Miller of CBSSports.com notes. Just to throw a name out there, the Rockies were said to be interested in free agent Roy Oswalt earlier this offseason."
Minaya joins Padres in time for closer hunt
December 3
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Part of Josh Byrnes downfall as Arizona's general manager in 2010 can be traced to the failure of the Diamondbacks bullpen. Now Byrnes is being asked to rebuild the Padres bullpen for 2012, starting with replacing closer Heath Bell, as one of his first major tasks in his new role as the Padres general manager. At least Byrnes will have another set of eyes joining the search. "We've discussed at least nine names as potential closers," Byrnes said Friday in the wake of free agent Bell agreeing to a three-year contract with the Miami Marlins. In other news of the day, the Padres signed former Montreal and New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya as senior vice president of baseball"
Report: Marlins meet with Heath Bell
December 1
Miami Herald
 
"This should come as no surprise, as the Marlins appear to have eyes for every free agent that breathes. But Jon Heyman of SI.com is reporting via Twitter that the Marlins have spoken with closer Heath Bell. In another tweet, Heyman reports that Ryan Madson declined to meet with the Marlins because he didn't like their initial offer. Earlier reports have indicated that the Padres don't believe they'll be able to re-sign Bell, who has averaged 44 saves over the past three seasons with San Diego."
'Numerous' teams interested in Padres' Bell
November 16
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"The Padres appear to be falling behind other teams in their efforts to keep free agent closer Heath Bell. Bell on Tuesday afternoon said he hopes to know something about his future before leaving Thursday on a planned trip to Fiji. "My agents have told me numerous other teams are interested with most of those on the East Coast," said Bell. "I told my guys that if there is any shot for San Diego, hold onto it. But I haven't really heard anything from the Padres since they changed general managers. Right now, I have no idea what to expect. "But I think there's going to be a three-year deal out there from someone. And that's what I'd like to have. I'd rather stay on the West Coast. But I"
Second Padres prospect believed to have falsified identity
November 8
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Another Padres prospect from Latin America is under investigation for possibly falsifying his name or birthdate. And this time a player's representative in the Dominican Republic has been charged with assisting the possible fraud. Outfielder Yoan Alcantara, who was recently named the top prospect in the Arizona Rookie League for 2011 may have been using a false name and birthdate when he signed a $135,000 bonus with the Padres on July 2, 2009."
Timing right for Byrnes to be GM
November 1
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Jed Hoyer wouldn't have been allowed to leave the Padres and become general manager of the Chicago Cubs except for one thing: Josh Byrnes was under contract to the Padres and ready to assume the reins of the ballclub upon Hoyer's departure. Padres CEO Jeff Moorad confirmed Monday during the news conference to introduce Byrnes as the Padres' ninth general manager that he granted permission to the Cubs to talk to Hoyer and assistant GM Jason McLeod because Byrnes was waiting in the wings."
Byrnes officially becomes Padres GM as Hoyer, McLeod join Cubs
October 27
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"It's official. At last. Josh Byrnes has replaced Jed Hoyer as the general manager of the Padres. In a joint announcement by the Cubs and Padres on Wednesday afternoon, the National League clubs confirmed baseball's worst-kept secret. After almost exactly two years with the Padres, Hoyer is leaving to become the Cubs' GM under new Cubs President Theo Epstein. Padres assistant GM Jason McLeod is also leaving the Padres to accept a similar position with the Cubs."
Padres trim C Johnson, two minor leaguers
October 26
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"The Padres have trimmed three players from their 40-man roster to make room for three players who will soon be transferred from the 60-day disabled list back onto the 40-man roster. The decisions were made by "a big group," said a source with the Padres, who are in the middle of transitioning from Jed Hoyer as general manager to Josh Byrnes. Reserve catcher Rob Johnson opted for free agency after clearing outright waivers and refusing an option to Triple-A Tucson. Johnson, 28, joined the Padres as a free agent last winter and hit .190 last season with six doubles, a triple, three homers and 16 RBI in 199 at-bats in 67 games."
Black appears to be a candidate elsewhere, but perfect fit is here
October 6
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Bud Black is a logical candidate. For the job he has now. To borrow his favorite all-purpose adjective, the Padres manager is a solid choice for almost any baseball job that might materialize. He's calm and he's competent, industrious and insightful, personable and professional and still serviceable as a pitcher of batting practice. These are the same reasons why the Padres prefer he stay put."
Padres close to agreement with FSN
September 2
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Get ready for the Padres on Fox Sports San Diego. A source familiar with the situation Thursday confirmed the Padres and Fox Sports Regional Networks are very close to an agreement in principle for a new network called Fox Sports San Diego to carry Padres games beginning with the 2012 season. The source, who was not authorized to comment publicly, said the long-term deal would be best characterized as a "general outline of terms" that is awaiting approval from Major League Baseball. "It's just a matter of dotting i's and crossing t's and conforming to MLB's specifications," the source said."
Kershaw beats Padres, Maybin to have MRI on wrist
August 30
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Cameron Maybin went from day-to-day to hold-your-breath Monday. Shortly after posting a third straight lineup without Maybin's name, the Padres announced their most exciting player will return to San Diego Tuesday morning to have a MRI exam of his right wrist. "It is still sore," Padres manager Bud Black said of Maybin's wrist before the Padres lost a fifth straight game, falling 4-1 to the Dodgers and left-hander Clayton Kershaw in a match of 23-year-old starting pitchers. "Cameron's wrist is still a little painful," continued Black. "Let's make sure nothing else is going on." Two days ago, the Padres said an MRI exam of Maybin's injury wasn't necessary. But the lack of improvement in the"
Bell off waivers, remains with Padres
August 26
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"As expected, Heath Bell is still with the Padres. The club did not reach a deal with San Francisco before the 10 a.m. Friday deadline, and the reliever was withdrawn from waivers. The Giants claimed Bell on waivers earlier this week, and the teams had 48 hours to reach a deal (unless the Padres just wanted to let him go, which was never going to happen)."
Still a Padre, Bell has a lot on his mind
August 25
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Hours before the first pitch, even more hours before he might be asked to throw the last pitch of the upcoming game, Heath Bell jogged back and forth between the left- and right-field lines at AT&T Park. Meanwhile, all of San Francisco seemed to be wondering excitedly which side Bell would be pitching for Wednesday night, the Padres or Giants. Much as he was at the center of it, the tornado-like talk of trades and waiver-wire machinations seemed like so much silliness to Bell, given the import of the news he'd been hearing out of Texas. "Dad came out of surgery well," said Bell, who ultimately didn't pitch in the Padres' 2-1 loss to the Giants. "Tough man. Marine. Don't give up." Jim Bell,"
ESPN says San Francisco Giants have won a waiver claim on Heath Bell
August 24
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"ESPN baseball scribe Buster Olney is reporting that the Giants have won a waiver claim on Padres closer Heath Bell. With Brian Wilson and Sergio Romo out, the Giants certainly could use Bell, but the chances of him coming north are very slim. That the Giants won the claim is not surprising. Claims are awarded in reverse order of the standings, and the Giants have the worst record among NL teams with a chance to reach the playoffs. They have probably won a bunch of waiver claims that have not become public."
Padres land three of four unsigned draftees
August 16
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"As they usually do with the Padres, things seemed to go right down to the last second, the 9:01 p.m. deadline on Monday for major league teams to have their draftees under contract. As they usually don't, though, the Padres came away with far more signatures than disappointments. Pulling off quite a rare and stunning coup, the new Padres signed three of the four remaining draft choices of 2011, high school pitchers Joe Ross and Michael Kelly and celebrated prep catcher Austin Hedges. Until the post-deadline announcement, Ross and Hedges seemed destined to become a battery for UCLA, not a Padres team. Kelly had signed a letter of intent with the University of Florida. "We're ahead of the"
Padres to increase payroll in 2012
August 10
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Padres CEO Jeff Moorad said Tuesday that the Padres' 2012 payroll "will start with a five," with the eventual "resting place" over the next five years being $70 million. Moorad discussed Padres ownership and operations while saying there is nothing to rumors that the group he leads will soon complete its purchase of the Padres from John Moores. "Nothing is imminent," Moorad said of his group's timed purchase of the Padres, which can be completed any time between now and the spring of 2014. "We hope to get something done well before the five-year schedule expires," Moorad continued. "But there is an owners' meeting in Cooperstown (N.Y.) next week and we are not on the agenda." The Padres'"
Bell says he intends to play for S.D. in 2012
August 2
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Heath Bell was "touched" Sunday by the standing ovation he received when he entered the game in the ninth inning. Hours earlier, the trading deadline passed with Bell remaining a Padre. The 22,516 at Petco Park Sunday let it be known that they were happy to see Bell still wearing the Padres' camouflage uniform. "That meant a lot to me," said Bell, who, in a discussion with wife Nicole later Sunday night came to a conclusion. "I really want to stay in San Diego," Bell said Monday afternoon before the Padres' 6-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers – and the complete-game effort of left-hander Clayton Kershaw -- before 22,417 at Petco Park. "I want to be a Padre. And the ball is in my court.""
Pirates acquire Padres outfielder Ludwick
July 31
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"The Pirates acquired San Diego Padres outfielder Ryan Ludwick before Sunday's trade deadline in exchange for a player to be named later or cash. The Pirates reportedly had interest in Ludwick for a while, but a trade to the Cleveland Indians looked more likely earlier Sunday. As the deadline approached, the Pirates again got involved, according to Yahoo Sports. Ludwick, 33, was hitting .238 for the Padres this season with 11 home runs and 64 RBIs. He hit .314 in May, but the production dropped as the season progressed and he hit .172 in July."
If not traded, could Bell accept arbitration to remain a Padre?
July 31
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Heath Bell still thinks he is going to be traded. And Texas is said to still be hot on the trail of the Padres closer, although the Rangers partially addressed their bullpen needs Saturday by acquiring Orioles reliever Koji Uehara. But what happens if the deadline passes at 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon (San Diego time) and Bell is still a Padre? The No. 2 man on the Padres all-time list of saves leaders is a free agent at the end of the season. And although the 33-year-old Bell has said he would take a "San Diego discount" to get a long-term contract from the Padres, there have been no talks on the subject since spring training. If Bell is a Padre at the end of the season, the Padres could get"
Bell a goner; Padres likely to make 2-3 trades
July 31
Yardbarker
 
"The Padres are not going to keep Heath Bell and settle for draft picks when he departs as a free agent. They are not going to use him to close meaningless games in the final two months of the season. Bell will be traded Sunday before the non-waiver deadline at 4 p.m. ET, according to a source familiar with the Padres' thinking. The Rangers remain the front-runner, the source said, but the Cardinals remain in the mix and the Phillies and Yankees are showing late interest. The Padres will make two and possibly three trades Sunday, with Bell, outfielder Ryan Ludwick and right-hander Chad Qualls the most likely to move, according to the source."
Phillies' trade focus: Pence, Quentin, Adams
July 29
CSN Philly
 
"The San Francisco Giants introduced their big trade-deadline addition during a news conference at Citizens Bank Park late Thursday afternoon. As Carlos Beltran spoke about trying to help the Giants win another World Series, Phillies officials were encamped four floors above in an effort to swing a deal for a player that they hope will make a difference in their quest to win a second World Series in four years. According to people with knowledge of the situation, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. is aggressively trying to make a trade before Sunday afternoon's non-waiver trade deadline. Sources say Amaro remains focused on three players that he believes can help make the Phillies a"
Rangers making play for Padres' Bell
July 29
MLB.com
 
"The Rangers are pushing hard for Padres reliever Heath Bell as Sunday's Trade Deadline approaches. Club officials have stressed that the Rangers are looking for bullpen help on multiple fronts and talking to several clubs. Florida closer Leo Nunez has also been a reliever of interest to the Rangers. But Bell appears to be the Rangers' No. 1 target and they have had multiple conversations with the Padres. A deal is not imminent and the Padres have a high asking price. Bell can be a Type A free agent after the season and the Padres could get two draft picks as compensation if he signs with another team. That is the baseline for what they are looking for in any deal for Bell. The Padres have"
Braves focusing on Pence, Willingham and Ludwick
July 28
ESPN.com
 
"Clubs that have spoken with the Braves say they have three primary names on their buy-a-bat shopping list: Hunter Pence, Willingham and Ludwick. The Braves looked into Upton, but don't seem prepared to pay a big price for him. We also haven't heard much that suggests the Braves are still bullpen shopping."
Rangers pushing hard for Padres' Bell in talks Thursday
July 28
CBSSports.com
 
"The Rangers are targeting Padres closer Heath Bell and pushing hard in trade talks today, talks that one source with knowledge of the clubs terms "good talks." But as of midday Thursday, a source said that the talks have not yet reached the point where a deal is imminent. Talks remain fluid as the Rangers look to strengthen their bullpen and it is hard to say whether a deal can be reached yet today, or even before the July 31 non-waivers trade deadline. One Padres source said the other day that the club believes Bell would sign a discounted multi-year deal in San Diego as a free agent this winter and, as such, suggested the club could keep him this summer."
Now that Beltran is gone, everyone wants Ryan Ludwick?
July 28
Hardball Talk
 
"We figured that everyone looking for a bat at the deadline would wait until after Carlos Beltran got moved to swoop in for the second tier. That seems to be happening at least with Ryan Ludwick, as Jon Heyman reports that the Phillies, Braves, Reds and Indians are all interested."
Rangers miss out on acquiring Beltran, continue to seek bullpen help
July 28
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"Carlos Beltran is headed to San Francisco after the defending world champions once again beat the Texas Rangers, this time with a trade offer to the New York Mets. "We're not getting him," a Rangers official said. A deal for the outfielder was always thought to be a long shot for the Rangers, though the depth in their farm system makes just about any deal a possibility. But the Rangers weren't willing to include a top prospect for a luxury item, especially since Beltran can't be offered arbitration once he becomes a free agent after the season. A free-agent-to-be who can be offered arbitration, Heath Bell, sits atop the Rangers' target list as the non-waiver trade deadline bears down on"
Heath Bell thinks he'll be traded to Texas
July 28
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Heath Bell figures he is headed to the Texas Rangers by Friday. The closer reached this conclusion Wednesday afternoon by using simple logic. "My parents are flying in from Texas tomorrow to spend 10 days with us," said Bell. "It just figures. I'm going to be in Texas." Actually, the most solid trade rumors regarding the Padres surfaced Wednesday with the most specific linking Bell to the Rangers for a package that would include 20-year-old left-handed pitching prospect Robbie Erlin. The Rangers have also apparently talked to the Padres regarding Mike Adams, according to ESPN.com. Left fielder Ryan Ludwick, meanwhile, has apparently drawn most interest from Atlanta, Cleveland and"
Why keeping Aaron Harang makes sense for Padres
July 26
Bleacher Report
 
"Aaron Harang's name keeps rising to the surface with the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline fast approaching. Harang, who picked up his ninth victory of the season Monday, is having a bit of a resurgence with the Padres this year, recording his highest win total since 2007 and the lowest ERA of his career. Rumors have been swirling that multiple clubs have expressed an interest in San Diego's righty starter, but it would be wise for the Padres to stand pat and look to re-sign the 10-year veteran. Petco Park-the Padres' home field-and Harang go together like spaghetti and meatballs. To borrow a phrase from "Big Daddy," maybe you prefer lamb and tuna fish? Either way, it is a match made in"
Adams admits trade rumors affected his pitching
July 26
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Most players say they don't read the newspaper, don't listen to talk radio and don't follow trade rumors on the Internet. Not Mike Adams. The Padres' eighth-inning specialist admitted that he was paying too much attention to recent trade rumors and said that it was impacting his performance. "I worried about it way too much (recently)," Adams said. "It started affecting me a little bit. I feel I was worrying more about that than going out and doing my job. I've kind of realized I have no control on it. "There's no way you can figure out what goes on behind doors." The non-waiver trade deadline is Sunday. Adams and Heath Bell are drawing interest from clubs. By Adams' standards, he"
Heath Bell expects to be traded
July 25
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Heath Bell expects to be traded by Sunday, baseball's non-waiver trade deadline. "Because it's been talked about so much," he said. "Usually when a team isn't doing particularly well and you're going to free agency and you make a lot of money, they're looking to dump salary." Bell said Sunday he thinks the Padres will trade him so that they'll receive the known quantity of at least one minor-league prospect rather than lose him in free agency, which would bring two draft picks. If traded, Bell said his preference, in order, would be: a) to be dealt to a contender; b) traded to a National League team; c) traded to the Diamondbacks or Angels because they're close to San Diego. He said the"
Bell ponders rumors of a trade
July 25
Courier-Post
 
"Heath Bell has a bet going with his wife and kids. They've each picked colors, leagues, regions of the country and various other characteristics of the team Bell might be pitching for after the July 31 non-waivers trade deadline, and the winner gets to pick the team's offseason family vacation. Suffice it to say, the entire family is on edge as the final days before the deadline approach. "It's a lot of rumors," Bell said of the rampant speculation flying around the San Diego locker room. "I think our wives are probably overwhelmed with things." None of those travel plans include a trip to visit the Liberty Bell, but the Phillies remain front and center when it comes to the trade buzz"
Rangers in talks for Heath Bell, other teams also interested
July 22
SI.com
 
"The Rangers are in talks for Heath Bell. The Cardinals, Angels and Reds are also interested. The Phillies have been connected to Bell, too, but Antonio Bastardo has been lights out, Ryan Madson is coming back and Brad Lidge may be, as well. So Philly's bullpen situation isn't bad as it is."
Mike Adams a Padre after all? San Diego will not trade stellar setup man
July 21
Bleacher Report
 
"Mike Adams, arguably the best setup man in the National League, will stay part of the San Diego Padres bullpen this season, according to Yahoo! Sports' Jeff Passan. After a dozen teams pitched offers for Adams, Padres owner Jeff Moorad told the star pitcher that he would stay in a San Diego uniform. Adams, who was dealt to San Diego from Cleveland in 2006, has pitched his best baseball as a member of the Padres. Currently, Adams' stats include a miniature 1.23 ERA, a 3-1 record and 43 strikeouts through 44 innings pitched. However, the asking price for Adams was too high for any of the teams that inquired about the right-handed pitcher. The Padres have been open on what their price tag is"
Debating the values of Willingham, Ludwick
July 21
Foxsports.com
 
"Eleven days from the non-waiver deadline, the buyers are sounding their usual complaints: Asking prices are ridiculous, nothing will happen until the sellers turn realistic, etc. When it comes to two of the top available hitters, the frustration level among some buyers is especially high. Why? Because Padres outfielder Ryan Ludwick and Athletics outfielder Josh Willingham are good — but not that good. As potential free agents, both Ludwick and Willingham are two-month rentals. As players, both are flawed."
Padres' Mike Adams ready for trade or no trade
July 18
North County Times
 
"One way or another, Mike Adams thinks he can handle whatever his future brings. If the Padres' setup man gets traded, as is the hot rumor these days, Adams will wind up playing for a contending team in a pennant race. Or, if Padres closer Heath Bell gets dealt to a contender and Adams stays, he would be the top candidate to take over the ninth-inning duties. With that in mind, Adams said he's more concerned with how his wife, Shelly, would handle a trade before the July 31 nonwaiver trade deadline arrives. Adams pitched a scoreless inning Sunday to lower his ERA to 1.26. He is 3-1 with 42 strikeouts and only nine walks in 43 innings. "I think the main person it affects is probably my wife"
Everth Cabrera Padre for a day?
July 18
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Shortstop Everth Cabrera flew from Fort Wayne, Ind., to San Diego Saturday morning for what could have been a one-game cameo with the Padres. Cabrera replaced shortstop Jason Bartlett on the roster and in the Padres lineup Sunday when Bartlett went on paternity leave. Bartlett's wife Kelly gave birth to the couple's second child Sunday afternoon, a son named Jagger Alan Bartlett. But Bartlett is expected to rejoin the Padres in Florida Tuesday, meaning Cabrera's stay in the major leagues could last only a game. Cabrera went 1-for-5, stole a base and scored a run in his first major league game since the end of last season. He also made several nice plays in the field."
Rangers continue search for a reliever
July 18
Foxsports.com
 
"The Rangers aren't messing around. They've got more money and prospects than most clubs, and they're scouring the top of the market for bullpen help. Among their targets, according to major-league sources: The Padres' two prizes, closer Heath Bell and setup man Mike Adams; Nationals All-Star setup man Tyler Clippard and Athletics closer Andrew Bailey, the 2009 American League Rookie of the Year."
Phillies looking for a bargain
July 17
Foxsports.com
 columnist Ken Rosenthal
"The Phillies are telling rival clubs that they can add about $2 million in salary. The amount makes sense, considering that the Phils' payroll reportedly is within $3 million of the $178 million luxury-tax threshold. But the relatively modest sum doesn't mean the team will be unable to address its needs. The Phils, for example, could add Padres reliever Mike Adams and Royals right fielder Jeff Francoeur with payroll room to spare — Adams and Francoeur combined are earning slightly more than $5 million, which means they will be owed about $1.7 million on July 31. Again, that's just an example — the Phils have serious interest in Adams, but so do the Yankees, Rangers and other clubs, major"
Report: Phillies are front-runners for Padres relievers Heath Bell or Mike Adams
July 15
Hardball Talk
 
"As further evidence that the Phillies have reached "Yankees of the National League" status and will now be linked to every big-name player being shopped, Buster Olney of ESPN.com reports that "they have been considered frontrunner to land a San Diego reliever." Heath Bell is the Padres' closer and biggest name in the bullpen, but setup man Mike Adams might actually be San Diego's best reliever. And while Bell is an impending free agent making a bunch of money Adams is relatively cheap and under team control for 2012. In other words, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. would be smart to make a play for Adams before he pays a premium for Bell."
Beltran, Reyes are top names for unpredictable trading season
July 15
SI.com
 
"The trading season began rather bizarrely, with the Mets rushing to trade Francisco Rodriguez, their star high-priced closer with the scary vesting option, a new agent and a missing no-trade list. K-Rod's previous agent failed to submit his 10-team no-trade list, and Mets higher-ups became concerned that his just-hired agent, Scott Boras, might try to rectify this situation. Although there was seemingly no way to submit a list that was already two years late, Mets GM Sandy Alderson didn't think it was worth taking a chance a trade could be stalled by a debate over the missing list. Shortly after Boras was hired, the Mets were telling interested teams K-Rod would be somewhere else "within"
Padres' Bell knows Rangers a potential landing spot
July 12
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"San Diego closer Heath Bell, considered the No. 1 reliever available as the July 31 trade deadline nears, said he has accepted that he might be dealt and knows that the Rangers are one of the teams who might land him. The AL West leaders have scouted Bell this season and have long been tied to him as a possible bullpen addition. He said he'd even serve as a set-up man with a new team. The Rangers have Neftali Feliz in place as their closer."
NL All-Star expects to be traded, could join Rangers for stretch run
July 12
Dallas Morning News
 
"Memo to the Rangers: San Diego closer Heath Bell is willing to work as a setup reliever for a contender during the second half. Bell, who has 73 saves in 77 chances since the start of last season, expects to be traded along with several other Padres relievers. The bullpen corps has fun with the situation, Bell said, by making bets about who will be traded first and the next destination for each pitcher. "It's a big joke down there for us," Bell said. Bell will become a free agent after this season, and he wants to close with his next club. A half-season stint as a setup man with a contender is acceptable."
Cards in the market for pitching, but Bell unlikely
July 8
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The Cardinals are in the market for pitching, with the bullpens in San Diego and Minnesota being two possible places to look. Padres closer Heath Bell has been a reported target, though recent indications have the Cardinals unlikely to pay the current asking price. While declining to offer specific targets, Mozeliak said the Cardinals could target starters or relievers. "How we square that circle, time will tell," Mozeliak said."
Clayton Richard put on 15-day disabled list
July 6
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"As much as there was disappointment on Clayton Richard's face, the look also was one of disbelief. Richard, the left-handed pitcher, former quarterback and Padres fitness demon who said he has never been on the disabled list of any kind or never even been injured, was placed on the 15-day DL on Tuesday with a strain of his throwing shoulder. His shocked expression, in fact, was much like those on the faces of people seeing Richard pulled after five innings of a Monday game in which he was shutting out the San Francisco Giants on two hits. Clearly, the Padres are using the All-Star Break in their strategy with Richard, whose next start would have been Saturday at Los Angeles. His scheduled"