PEORIA, Ariz. _ While Padres General Manager A.J. Preller did make significant upgrades all around the roster, he continues to work the phones in an almost frenetic manner in a quest to add a player (or players) he believes can truly vault the Padres into contention in a seemingly stacked National League.
On the front burner of Preller's extended hot stove cooking is a continued attempt to move outfielder Wil Myers. Sources said in the past two days that talks between the Padres and Boston Red Sox are ongoing, and a deal seems contingent on the Red Sox assuming about half of the $61 million owed Myers over the next three years. The Red Sox are interested in pitcher Cal Quantrill, as well as highly touted prospects Luis Campusano and Gabriel Arias, though the Padres are unlikely to part with all three. Quantrill is a central piece in the talks.
It is unclear who the Padres would get in return from Boston, and the main purpose of a trade is characterized as attaining the salary flexibility moving Myers would create. The Padres have long been willing to eat about half of Myers' money, though they did ask the Red Sox to take on more in talks regarding Mookie Betts due to the size of Betts' 2020 salary ($27 million). Betts was dealt to the Dodgers on Feb. 4.
The Padres appear to be centering their search for reinforcements on a difference-making outfielder and have long had interest in Cincinnati's Nick Senzel.
Their interest in Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor is also ongoing, though there remains uncertainty among other teams how committed the Indians are to moving Lindor soon.
