It seems likely the Padres will become sellers in the next few weeks; they’re currently 10.5 games back in the West. Heath Bell and Ryan Ludwick are the most notable among trading chips, others may include pitchers Chad Qualls and Aaron Harang; all are free agents after the 2011 season. Earlier in the week it was reported that "the Phillies, Mariners, and Reds are among the teams that have inquired on the availability of Padres’ right fielder  Ryan Ludwick, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports" via MLBtraderumors.com. Cincinnati had been specifically linked to Ryan Ludwick before, for a trade of Chris Heisey or a package of prospects; but that specific exchange was later shot down by Padres’ GM Jed Hoyer on XX1090. However, that doesn't mean there has not been interest, or that nothing could eventually come to fruition. Many teams could have interest in all the aforementioned players -- Heath Bell most notably, because he is one of the elite closers in all of baseball and it seems unlikely the Padres will reach an extension.

Other teams with possible interest in the Padres’ bullpen could include the Yankees.  The Yankees have had struggles with their pen this year, with Rafael Soriano being less-than-impressive and having some injury problems. He is currently on the DL, and joins Jaba Chamberlain. Having said that, I could easily see the Yankees having interest in one of Bell or Qualls. Many teams will have interest in Mike Adams, but the Padres have said the only way they would deal Adams is if they received a "Homerun" in return... Montero?

Earlier in the week when Albert Pujols went down, I speculated the St. Louis Cardinals could have interest in former Cardinal favorite Ryan Ludwick (along with possibly Heath Bell) to help the missing production of Pujols. They could move Lance Berkman to first base (which they have already done) and play Ludwick in the outfield.

The Phillies have shown interest in Ryan Ludwick and could also use relief help of their own, since they’ve been having injury problems such as Brad Lidge and now most recently Jose Contreras. Could the Padres offer a combination of players such as Ryan Ludwick, Heath Bell and a minor league prospect to pry away such a highly touted prospect like Dominic Brown?  

Below I have listed some players I believe the Padres could look at in possible trades. It remains to be seen if some of these players would be realistic, good matches for both teams, or even available. In my opinion some of these players would fit the mold of Petco Park nicely. Keep in mind; the Padres want to continue to improve their philosophy of trying to play Petco Park into an advantage -- pitching, speed, athleticism and contact-gap hitters with power potential. 

Angels: Peter Bourjos - Bourjos is fast, very fast. He has plus speed and profiles as a excellent defender in CF. Another max effort player whose "tools" could profile well in Petco Park. He has some holes in his swing and has lacked some discipline at times and strikes out a bit too much for a traditional lead off guy thus far. However, he should hit enough (270-280), play excellent defense and show his blazing speed. He is not a homerun hitter but has gap power, and that is exactly what the Padres are looking for, players who can hopefully "play Petco Park into an advantage" using the gaps and playing well above-average defense roaming the spacious confines of Petco Park.

Jean Segura - 2B/SS, is another advanced hitter, "the real deal". He’s an above-average runner with line drive gap power; a true hitter. However, after what some analysts characterize as "poor" defense at second base, the Angels organization moved him to shortstop. There are mixed reports on his defense; some believe he handled second well, while others do not. Having said that, if he can stick up the middle at a premium position like shortstop with his legit bat, he can be an impact player very soon. I like his bat a lot. Another guy whose tools would look great in Petco Park. 

Yankees: Jesus Montero is one of the best prospects in all of baseball. Montero, with a great power frame at 6’4” tall, 220-pound, has a great batting eye and outstanding pitch recognition. He’s comfortable hitting with two strikes and he’s able to drive difficult pitches. He generates excellent leverage with his frame than enables him to hit for plus power, while a strong core accompanied with quick wrists, allow him to have great bat control and power to all fields. Montero has great discipline and is an all-around special hitter. Some scouts question if he will remain at catcher. He has poor footwork and mechanics, and despite an improving release with a strong arm, seems very slow behind the plate. It's hard to imagine the Yankees giving up such a top prospect in Montero; however, the Yankees have two other highly touted catching prospects, which could make him expendable if they become desperate.

Gary Sanchez C - Like Montero, he also has power. His power is much more raw at this point. He has very good hand-eye coordination, arm strength, but is much more athletic. Unlike Montero, he should develop into an above-average catcher. While he does not have the big time power Montero does, he could still develop into a solid power hitter as he's only 18 years old. His plus bat speed, solid bat control and raw power enable him to drive the ball to all fields with authority. Sanchez could even move possibly to third or a corner outfield spot; however his true value is behind the dish. If the Padres couldn't pry away Montero, Sanchez would make sense given the Padres’ emphasis up the middle. 

Red Sox: Josh Reddick is an excellent athlete. He has good bat speed with quick wrists with an uppercut swing that makes solid contact. This uppercut swing and his frame generate solid power. He needs to improve his plate recognition, as he can get pull-happy and also needs to show a better approach using all fields to continue to advance at the plate. Reddick has very good range and an excellent arm that could be ideal in right field; he can handle all OF positions with his excellent athleticism. Some scouts believe that with maturity he could fill out more, adding to his already attractive frame and hit for much more power. He has above-average speed, reads the ball off the bat nicely and gets a nice first step. I really like him, but he has struggled to put together consistent numbers up in the minors. Recently when he has been brought up (small sample size) he's looked terrific in all aspects of his game. Reddick could be a nice return for someone like Chad Qualls, or even Ryan Ludwick if the Sox feel they are too lefty heavy, along with the underperforming veterans such as J.D. Drew and Mike Cameron.

Other notable players the Padres could have interest in: Yamacio Navarro SS, Anthony Ranaudo RHP, Felix Doubront LHP, Jose

Iglesias SS. 

Texas: Jurickson Profar (SS) has been climbing the prospect chart. Having an advanced bat for his age, doesn't necessarily mean his ceiling will be the highest. However, he has no real glaring weakness. Profar has all the tools to be impact player at a premium position, with an excellent glove with a very strong accurate arm. At 5’11" and 165 lbs. his frame does not scream power hitter. Having said that, he generates surprising gap power from both sides of the plate and is very young with time to fill out. I really like his advanced approach at the plate. He's an above-average runner, but not a speedster -- however, he should maximize his running game being a smart base runner. Texas has had interest in Bell for some time and Profar alone would be a nice haul.

Cincinnati: Chris Heisey is a very solid defender who can play all outfield positions. Heisey has strong quick hands and will hit to all fields with authority. With his strong frame, he has the ability to lift the ball, generating quality back-spin and pulling the ball for occasional power. He’s a slightly above-average hitter, accompanied with above-average raw power with room to improve, especially if he can get full playing time and continue to demonstrate solid discipline. With great hands and an accurate strong arm, he’s another athletic player that maximizes his tools by playing all out, including as an above-average runner that always hustles. Ironically, I wanted to Padres to trade for him last year before they acquired Ryan Ludwick. He kind of reminds me of a more athletic, better defensive outfielder with more homerun potential than Aaron Cunningham. I like Hesiey, however I believe the Padres can do better. I do like that he's a right-handed hitter that could profile well in Petco Park.

Other notable players the Padres could have interest in: Zack Cozart SS, Homer Bailey, Todd Frazier 3B, Billy Hamilton SS.

Philadelphia: Dominic Brown is one of the better prospects in baseball. He’s a legitimate five-tool player with impressive all-around physical strength. He has an excellent arm in the outfield. His swing is more suited to be a very good contact gap hitter with the ability to hit with authority to all fields. However, he has tons of raw power, and squares up on the ball making hard contact. If he can develop and learn how to better utilize his frame, he could grow into a power-hitting force that hits for a high average.

Brown has plus speed. Like Cameron Maybin, his long legs allow him to glide into the gaps in the outfield. Overall, Brown’s tools should enable him to be a plus-plus defender in the outfield, steal some bases, hit for a high average and flirt with 20-30 home-runs and 20 stolen bases perennially. The thought of another true five-tool player in Petco alongside Cameron Maybin would be very exciting. I don't see Brown being dealt. However, if I were the Padres I would offer a package of Bell, Ludwick and possibly Darnell or Jaff Decker. The Padres would have to get another prospect in return if they were dealing one of their own top prospects. I would also think they could have interest in their catcher below, Sebastian Valle.

Other notable players the Padres could have interest in: Jonathan Singleton OF, Trevor May RHP, Sebastian Valle C.

St. Louis: Colby Rasmus has yet to develop into the player many thought he would; however he is still very young. Rasmus has a very athletic strong build, with very good raw power and a strong arm.  He’s an excellent athlete with above-average speed and could eventually be capable of being a 20-25 homerun guy perennially.  Although he has lacked some consistency, no one doubts his tools or potential, and has already put up respectable numbers in a very good lineup. It should be noted that last year he hit 23 homers and batted .276, .361, 498. However, with the rumors of discord between Rasmus and Tony La Russa last year, accompanied by his mediocre performance this year and teammate Jon Jay's impressive performance as a back up, the question rises -- would the Cardinals deal him out of necessity for a run at the playoffs? I personally find it hard to believe; again, I would think to pry away Rasmus would be a stretch. However, Bell and Ludwick would be a nice haul for a team in a playoff hunt; especially since Rasmus is the most established player of the ones I have noted.

Other notable players the Padres could have interest in: Bryan Anderson C, Carlos Martinez RHP, Lance Lynn RHP.