Yeah, it's that time. The season, for all intents and purposes, is over. The playoffs are out of reach and it's time for Jed to decide whom he will be willing to move ahead of this year's trade deadline. 

I know it sounds ridiculous to throw in the towel so early in the season. This is a Padres team that shocked many by winning 90 games last year after all so why do I think it's not possible for this squad to turn it around this year? Well, truth be told, I think they Padres were lucky to win 90 last year. They overachieved. This is closer to what the Padres really were last year.

This club is in the midst of another dreaded rebuild and while it was fun watching meaningful baseball games into September and early October, chances are it'll be at least a couple more seasons before we see the Padres in the hint that late in the season.

With that being said, what players on the current roster are likely to be rumored to be heading elsewhere this summer?

Heath Bell - No surprise here. Bell is headed toward unrestricted free agency next winter and could easily pull in a multi-year contract paying in the neighborhood of $10 million per. That figure will probably represent around 20% of the Friars total payroll next year. The Padres simply won't do that.

Bell has made it known he'd love to stay but how much of a hometown discount would he have to take? I just don't see it happening.

If the Padres were to hold onto Bell and then offer him arbitration after the season, he would potentially bring the Friars two high draft choices. Therefore, any trade return this summer would have to at least be equal to the value of two reasonably high picks.

Teams that could inquire on Bell include; Texas, Boston and St. Louis. 

Mike Adams - Now why would I even suggest Adams be traded if it's already a near certainty Bell is headed elsewhere? Adams would be in line to close games for the Friars in the event Bell is dealt. 

The thing is, Adams might have as much value as Bell in the trade market. He is under team control through next season while making $2.525 million this year. He can expect somewhere around $4 million next year in his final year of arbitration. With the going price for free agent setup relievers this past winter set at $5 million plus, Adams would be a tremendous bargain.

Let's think about this too; this past winter we were able to parlay some of our bullpen depth for solid starters up-the-middle. At the deadline this year, with teams fighting for their playoff lives, it's probable several teams would pay a high price for a reliever like Adams.

Given his relative affordability, I could see the teams mentioned with Bell along with several other mid-market contenders getting in on Adams. I firmly believe Adams could easily net us two or three solid prospects via trade.

Ryan Ludwick - Yes, Ludwick hasn't hit much with the Friars. He's currently got a triple-slash line of .241/.308/.428. He does lead the club with 8 HR and 29 RBI though. I can envision a club looking for a power hitter taking a stab at Ludwick.

Ludwick has begun to hit better in May. He has an OPS of .829 this month. If he continues to swing a hot stick then the Padres should have no trouble flipping the veteran OF to a contender for a decent prospect.

Aaron Harang - Teams are always looking for more pitching. Harang has been good at home (3.79 ERA), not so much on the road (5.51 ERA) so that could scare off some potential teams. Harang's salary is pretty affordable so if he can improve his numbers on the road he could be an attractive asset at the deadline.

The Padres, under the stewardship of Hoyer and with a bunch of high draft picks next month, should have a bright future. Moving some of the pieces I've listed above would serve to fast-forward the rebuild a little bit more. It's at least feasible dealing the names above could bring a return of four, five or six good prospects. Being a small market club, the Friars need to be aggressive in acquiring young, affordable talent and I have no doubt Hoyer will be proactive on the trade market soon after the draft concludes.