Frazier is under contract through 2022 and made his first All-Star team earlier this month. His addition gives the Padres the ability to start four All-Star infielders with Manny Machado at third base, Fernando Tatis Jr. at shortstop, Jake Cronenworth at first base, and Frazier at second.
The 29-year-old is batting .324 this season with four home runs, 32 RBI, 58 runs scored, and 28 doubles. Frazier leads the Majors with 125 hits in 98 games and is the first player to be traded while leading the league in hits since Willie McGee in 1990.
Frazier has played in the outfield seven times this season late in games and has 98 career starts in the outfield over six seasons. His versatility means he could be a super-utility type player, subbing in for Wil Myers in the outfield or Eric Hosmer in the infield on the days Cronenworth plays first base.
Last year the Padres made six trades in the three days leading up to the deadline with 26 players changing teams. It will be interesting to see if they do more of the same this year, especially to shore up the starting pitching.
At 58-44 going into Monday, the Padres are in the final Wild Card spot, 5 ½ games ahead of the Cincinnati Reds and seven games against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Padres are 5 ½ games behind the San Francisco Giants in the NL West and 3 ½ games behind the LA Dodgers, who are in second place. They are -1400 to make the playoffs, +525 to win the NL West. +450 to win the NL pennant and +800 to win the World Series.
Mets Looking to Add More Pieces
The New York Mets are expected to be busy this week in both the hitting and pitching markets. They made their first move on Friday as they added veteran left-handed pitcher Rich Hill from the Tampa Bay Rays. Rumors continue to swirl that the Mets are interested in Cubs hitters Kris Bryant and Javy Baez along with Colorado shortstop Trevor Story.
Multiple media outlets also reported over the weekend that the Mets have checked to see if the Washington Nationals would trade three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer within the division. With Jacob deGrom again on the injured list with forearm tightness, adding an ace would be the coup general manager Zach Scott needs.
Other starting pitchers besides Hill that are expected to be on the market this week are Colorado’s Jon Gray and German Marquez, Pittsburgh’s Tyler Anderson, Minnesota’s Michael Pineda, and Jose Berrios, along with Texas All-Star Kyle Gibson.
Hill’s acquisition fills a need, but the 41-year-old has struggled with a 5.09 ERA in July, and he has thrown six innings just once since May 25. He allowed three runs over five hits in his Mets debut on Sunday. Hill struck out one and walked two in a no-decision as the Mets beat Toronto 5-4.
The Mets are 52-44 as they prepare to host the Braves in a five-game series. They have a four-game lead on Philadelphia in the NL East and are -300 to win the division. The Mets are +425 to win the NL pennant and +800 to win the World Series.
Click here for more MLB odds and news >>