On Tuesday, the Padres placed third baseman Chase Headley on revocable waivers, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. This is probably not big news. But if he passes through unclaimed, it can certainly be.
General manager Josh Byrnes told Lee “Hacksaw” Hamilton of XTRA Sports 1090 in San Diego that he couldn’t comment on the report, which likely indicates that the situation has not come to a conclusion. Headley either hasn’t cleared waivers yet, was claimed and pulled back, or the Padres could be in trade talks with the claiming team.
With one year remaining of team control, Headley is likely to be placed on the trade block this upcoming offseason. If the Padres can get a good enough package now, though, Headley could finish the season elsewhere and the front office will have a head start on the offseason.
While Headley‘s value has dropped considerably since his huge second half of 2012 (.978 OPS, 23 HR, 73 RBI), or just returned to where it had been throughout his career, he’s still viewed as a solid third baseman who provides terrific defense and the ability to hit 10-15 homers, 30-35 doubles and steal 10-15 bases per season.
The price tag has likely dropped significantly, but that doesn’t mean Headley can be acquired for fringe prospects. It will still take at least one very good prospect to pry the 29-year-old away from San Diego.
Here are two contending teams where Headley could be a fit and two noncontenders who might just try to get a jump on the offseason by acquiring him now.