The San Diego Padres are currently slumping a bit. They have fallen to third place in the National League West and are now a half-game out of a playoff spot.
There is still time for the Padres to turn things around, however. They could add a piece or two at the trade deadline.
San Diego has a few starters currently on the injured list and could use an extra arm.
Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer listed the Padres as a potential trade fit for Walker Buehler.
“Joining up with the Padres might light a bigger fire under Buehler than other teams could expect. It would mean six chances to take on the Dodgers, and he would have a right to have a chip on his shoulder about those,” Rymer wrote.
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Buehler is struggling with the Boston Red Sox this year. In 13 starts, he is 5-5 with a 6.29 ERA. However, he does have a strong postseason track record.
He closed out last year’s World Series for the Dodgers against the New York Yankees. The 30-year-old right-hander is a two-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion.
Perhaps moving to a more pitcher-friendly environment like Petco Park could help him improve and give him a chance to opt out of his contract, thus potentially returning to free agency next winter.
He certainly isn’t the pitcher he once was, but he still is capable of giving a team reliable innings when healthy.
We’ll see if the Padres show any interest in him.
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