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The Padres swung for the fences again on Sunday. An Adam Frazier trade finally took place. The All-Star is heading to California in exchange for three prospects.
The package includes the Padres’ fifth-ranked prospect. Infielder Tucupita Marcano, outfielder Jack Suwinski and right-handed pitcher Michell Miliano are heading to San Diego. The Padres are receiving some cash along with Frazier to make him effectively a minimum salary player for the rest of the year.
This was a bold move for a franchise sitting seven games back in the loss column. It’s easy to talk down the return, but there’s plenty of upside in that group, and Frazier doesn’t address an obvious need. He’s having a career year. Yet, the underlying signs are that little has changed. He’s a low-power guy, who doesn’t walk much.
Frazier’s versatility would be invaluable to any team. He’s got experience at all three outfield spots, and provides cover at second base if Jake Cronenworth is hurt or moves to first base at times.
Adding another All-Star to Cronenworth, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado sounds great. Frazier isn’t an all-world talent like Tatis, though. He’s a solid to good hitter. The upgrade here is over Jurickson Profar and Ha-Seong Kim, and that’s a nice boost to get, but it’s not going to have the Giants and Dodgers quaking in their sizeable boots.
A Frazier trade has long been inevitable. He was a man in-demand for good reason, but the Padres are a surprising fit. This is a lot to give up for a guy who is a 106 wRC+ career hitter. Little about Frazier’s approach or contact suggests he will be much more than that as a Padre, despite such a productive few months in Pittsburgh.
It’s depth. It’s depth which the Padres need long-term, but it doesn’t move the needle in the NL West standings the rest of the way. San Diego should be wary of being too aggressive in the trade market given the likelihood of being a wildcard team.
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