The San Diego Padres recently bolstered their starting pitching rotation by acquiring LHP Sean Manaea from the Oakland A's. Manaea joins a formidable group that already includes Yu Darvish, Blake Snell, Jose Musgrove, and Mike Clevinger. There were initial stirrings that San Diego could opt to flip Manaea for outfield help, but the Padres reportedly have no plans to trade him, per Bob Nightengale.

However, they are engaging in trade discussions with teams about RHP Chris Paddack.

Paddack does not have a clear position in the rotation and also is unlikely to be sent down to the minors. He could be a bullpen candidate, but the Padres seem to possess more interest in trading him for offensive help.

Manaea is a far better fit in the Padres rotation as well. The left-hander offers a similar skill set to Snell. Both are lefties with ample strikeout upside. They will help to balance out a rotation that features three other right-handed starters in Darvish, Musgrove, and Clevinger. Paddack's presence in the rotation would cause the staff to become right-handed heavy. While that is not necessarily a bad thing, having the option to add a talented left-hander is the better move.

Paddack struggled in 2021 but still has potential. A change of scenery could lead to a breakout campaign for him. Rumors swirled earlier in the offseason about a Paddack-led trade to the Mets. But the trade apparently fell through. Nonetheless, the Padres will continue to look to deal Paddack in return for a quality bat.