Rumor Mill #1

Baseball's Winter Meetings kick off this week, so let the mill start spinning!


MLBTR is reporting that the Padres have interest in Oakland A's closer Andrew Bailey. The bad news for the Padres is that the Rangers, Mets, Blue Jays, Mariners, and Reds are also in on him. That means the price will be high to nab the 27-year old former Rookie of the Year.


If the cost doesn't dig too deep into our system, I'm all for it.


It'd be painful to see our immensely talented farm system begin to deplete for one player, and a closer at that. However, I think the Padres could offer the A's two players that would fill their needs: Chase Headley and Matt Clark. If that's not enough, throw in a fringe prospect as well. The losses of these players will not affect the system much at all. In fact, it might make some room for a player or two to establish himself. 


This works for the A's because they saw an anemic .234/.291/.343 from the combination of Andy LaRoche and Kevin Kouzmanoff. Headley (.289/.374/.399) would represent a tremendous upgrade for Oakland in a market that is weak for 3B's. 


Additionally, the A's are seeking outfield help, and while Clark's bat hasn't been proven (solid MiLB numbers: .279/.357/.491), he has shown some pop and the ability to play the corner spots, despite the fact that his natural position is 1B. Plus, with the DH option, Clark would give the A's some flexibility.


For the Padres, Bailey (career 0.954 WHIP, 9.0 K/9) would be the perfect fit to solidify the closer role while also further benefiting from Petco National Park (as Tom Krasovic coined it). That would mean Luke Gregerson takes the 8th inning, and I'd give Brach a shot at the 7th.


It does seem that this team is in desperate need of offense, so that begs the question as to why not send Headley et. al. off for a much needed offensive upgrade? That's a completely valid point, but I feel Headley can bring much more trade value if it's for a pitcher. If Headley's in the deal for a position player, then the bigger blue chips in the farm will almost certainly have to be involved to trigger any trade.


Round and round we go!