Padres Rumor Round-Up

It's looking more an more likely that that the Padres are going to trade one of their three catchers and Yasmani Grandal is at the forefront of all the swirling rumors, most recently in an exchange for Matt Kemp. He's young and controllable and drawing the most interest from opposing ball clubs.  To bolster their backstop crew, if and when a trade happens, the Padres are looking to sign 37 year old free agent David Ross

Padres enter Winter Meetings with long list of needs | UTSanDiego.com

The Padres’ interest in Ross, who would serve as a veteran backup and clubhouse leader, further indicates their intention to move one of three catchers -- Yasmani Grandal, Rene Rivera or top defensive prospect Austin Hedges -- all of whom have received significant interest amid a lean market for backstops

The UT's Dennis Lin in the same article gives us a peek at the team's Christmas wish list.  They want and impact bat (or two), a first basemen, a third basemen, a shortstop and hell a young controllable offense.  Basically they want a new team and I don't blame them.  Names he mentioned as potential targets are Justin Upton, Matt Kemp, Yoenis Cespedes, Jay Bruce, Allen Craig, Michael Morse and Brandon Moss.

Ken Rosenthal is hearing from an unidentified source that the Padres are discussing a trade of starting pitcher Ian Kennedy for outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, but Boston expects better quality than Kennedy.

Source: #RedSox, #Padres have discussed Cespedes for Kennedy. BOS believes that Cespedes can bring them even better pitcher.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 7, 2014

While he's at it Rosenthal is making up his own possible trades, seeing that the Padres need an everyday shortstop not two utility players like Clint Barmes and Alexi Amarista.  A possible match he says is with the Rangers since Pads GM Preller have a past.

One possible match: #Padres need SS. #Rangers have surplus - and SD's Preller knows their players well. Profar possibility?

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 7, 2014

As the Winter Meetings officially kick-off tomorrow baseball executives will be milling about and the media will be trying to get information from them.  So far Preller has been mute.

Just tried to talk to Pads GM AJ Preller about Cespedes to SD rumors. He was silent, motionless, unwilling to comment pic.twitter.com/QWKj2k4tfC

— Cespedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) December 7, 2014

Just as we suspected.