Buster Olney is stating the Brewers and Padres have been talking about Randy Wolf and Greg Maddux. I'm trying to track down where and when this was exactly said, but from what I've heard, Olney thinks a deal of Gwynn Jr. for Maddux will likely happen before the All-Star break.
It does help both teams. As much as I like TGJ, he clearly has no future on this squad. Everything you read talks about them moving Hart to CF next year and sliding in LaPorta to right (obviously this could change within a few days..) but no mention of Gwynn. You get the distinct impression they don't think he projects to be an everyday player either. I'd assume if this Sabathia deal goes down, they pick up Cameron's option next year and keep Hart in RF.
Gwynn Jr. would be an ideal fit in SD. They need a CF and his offensive game is ideal for that pitchers park. Plus he's a plus defender who can cover a lot of ground in that spacious PetCo Park outfield.
Makes a ton of sense if you ask me. This addition would allow them to move presumably McClung into the bullpen as a set up guy. Given Mota's recent struggles, this could help preserve him for the stretch run.
Not to get ahead of ourselves, because I'm not sure the validity of this rumor (however I am certain the Brewers will net Sabathia soon), but imagine a roation of:
Sheets, Sabathia, Parra, Suppan, Maddux
Insane right? Then factor in the bullpen would look something like this:
CL: Torres
SU: Gagne
SU: Mota
SU: Riske
MR: Villanueva
MR: Shouse
MR: McClung
LR: Bush
The only problem being, I don't see them carrying 13 pitchers this late in the season, so someone would have to be sent down. I don't think they'd try to pass Bush down for work again, and there's no way McClung is placed on waivers. Perhaps Villanueva?
It certainly would make things interesting.
