Predicting How Trades Will Reshape NL West

2 of 6

Melvin Upton Jr. has gone back in time, playing at the level that made hi a star earlier in his career. (Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports) /

Seller: San Diego Padres

San Diego is playing well in July, but the Padres don’t realistically have a shot of getting into contention. As such, they have already begun flipping veterans for prospects, sending closer Fernando Rodney to Miami and starting pitcher Drew Pomeranz to Boston. Being that they aren’t waiting until the last minute to get involved in the trade market, the Padres are probably hard at work trying to move outfielders Melvin Upton, Matt Kemp and the injured Jon Jay. Infielder Yangervis Solarte, catcher Derek Norris, and starting pitcher Andrew Cashner are two others regulars who could net decent returns for the Padres.

Even if they moved all of these players, it wouldn’t hurt the Padres much. With Pomeranz and Rodney already gone, the pitching staff has already taken its biggest hits. An outfield of top prospects Hunter Renfroe and Manuel Margot and rookies Alex Dickerson and Travis Jankowski would be productive and exciting—and possibly problematic for the Giants when the two teams face off seven times in Septemeber. And Triple-A catcher Austin Hedges has been terrorizing Pacific Coast League pitching.