SAN DIEGO -- The Padres held firm at the non-waiver Trade Deadline Monday, opting not to part with several key assets.
Their roster isn't likely to change much in August either, despite the fact that players can still be dealt after clearing revocable waivers.
Given the youth and affordability of the current roster, Padres officials don't expect any of their key contributors to clear waivers this month. With that in mind, there's little chance a deal materializes.
Lefty reliever Brad Hand -- the most sought-after Padre on the market -- is going nowhere. With two years of team control remaining after this season, the Padres won't shop him this month. Similarly, team officials don't expect Yangervis Solarte to move, with one saying, "I'd be shocked."
It could be a bit of a different story, however, for Jhoulys Chacin and Clayton Richard, starting pitchers on expiring contracts. Chacin started Tuesday's game against the Twins and tossed seven scoreless innings.
Padres sources have indicated it's unlikely either player clears waivers. But there's also a chance San Diego could work out a deal with a club that makes a waiver claim.
To make an August trade, teams must first put the player(s) they'd like to deal on waivers. Every team in the Majors is eligible to make a claim. If that happens, the Padres would have three options:
1. Pull the player back
2. Let the claiming club club take the player along with his entire contract
3. Work out a trade with the claiming club within 48 hours
The third option is a possibility with both Richard and Chacin. Still, it's far likelier that Chacin and Richard remain Padres through August, Padres officials said. There's also a chance that the Padres look to re-sign both during the offseason. Chacin addressed that possibility.
"You're always open [to returning]," Chacin said. "I'm really happy here, and they treat me really well. They have confidence in me, so I just want to give the same to the team, just give it all I have every time that I go out and pitch."
Unless a player clears waivers entirely, the Padres are limited to one club in their negotiations -- the first claiming club in the waiver queue.
For players like, Hand, Solarte and, say, Kirby Yates, those negotiations aren't particularly worthwhile in the eyes of the Padres' front office. They've all got years of team control remaining. And their trade value is undoubtedly at its peak when 29 other teams can bid.
But with expiring contracts, Chacin and Richard will be free-agents this offseason. The Padres can't get a return for them unless they can find a workable deal with the claiming club.
That said, the Friars appear content to hold onto Richard and Chacin. Both have proven serviceable in terms of eating innings. Plus, both are well-respected clubhouse presences, and the Padres aren't eager to part with either.