Whether True or False, Chase Headley Trade Rumors Will Be Plentiful in 2013

Uh-oh Padres fans.

Chase Headley led the N.L. in RBI’s last season. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

According to Bill Madden of the “New York Daily News,” the Padres were apparently listening to offers for their talented Third Baseman Chase Headley.  Madden believes that with Alex Rodriguez getting older and injured, the Yankees could stand to use an injection of youth in the lineup and at Third Base.

According to MLB Trade Rumors, the Padres and Chase Headley are still very far apart when it comes to an extension for the future 2015 Free Agent, so the prospect of the Friars’ brass actually dealing the 2012 N.L. leader in RBI’s is still a possibility.

Thankfully, San Diego’s G.M. Josh Byrnes however shot down the rumor that him and the rest of the Padres’ Front Office team were shopping Headley relatively quickly last week.

Long-time Sports Writer Peter Gammons (formerly of ESPN, now of MLB Network) actually tweeted Byrnes’ thoughts on whether or not he was listening to offers for Chase:

"“We’ve worked hard to put together a good offensive team (1st OPS+ last 2 months).  We’re not breaking it up now.”"

After Byrnes’ quote, Gammons then tweeted the following:

"Headley thus…not available right now.  They have 2 years, see where they are in July"

Granted, Byrnes’ words are definitely comforting to hear, because this team has the talent to turn a “competitive corner” as early as 2014.  But consider me somewhat skeptical regarding what he has to say on the matter right now.  Time and time again over the last two decades, the Padres’ brass have jettisoned their best and most expensive talent, only to little in return.  And as Gammons alluded to, what happens if this team is floundering in 4th or 5th place at the All-Star Break?  Will an offer from the Yankees or any other contending team sound good to the Friars’ Management team?  Especially one with a history of frugality like their own?

Like it or not fans, but the 2012 Gold Glove Award Winner might very well be considered expendable to the Front Office if those types of events occur.  And as it has always been, maybe the Padres’ brass do not want to work out a lucrative deal for Headley, regardless if he performs well or not through this season or next.  Unfortunately, the Friars are a franchise known for their frugality.  Thus, the “Headley Trade Rumors” will probably be a constant theme in the media throughout the 2013 season if neither side can agree to a long-term deal, and the Padres struggle.

For now though, let us just be happy that Chase is signed through the 2014 season.  So let’s cross our fingers, and hope that over the next two years that him and the Front Office are able to work out a deal to keep him in San Diego for the duration of his career.

Regardless of what happens though, there are sure to be plenty of “Headley Trade Rumors” as the upcoming season progresses.