Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Edwin Jackson – The Chicago Cubs signed Jackson to a four- year $36 million contract during the off-season. And so far the Cubs haven’t been getting their moneys worth. In two starts Jackson is 0-2 with a 5.73 earned run average. The Cubs’ No. 2 starter got hammered in his last start giving up  five earned runs with five walks and six strikeouts. Jackson

Dan Haren – Haren has been inconsistent in two starts for the Washington Nationals. In his first outing against the Cincinnati Reds the right-hander lasted only four innings, giving up five runs, which four came off of home runs. Haren’s start was a little bit better, but he still manage to struggle. Haren got his first win of the season against the Chicago White Sox tossing over five innings with no strike outs and one walk. He did manage to give up 10 hits though. So far Haren and his one-year $13 million contract has produced a 1-1 record with a 9.00 ERA while giving up 19 hits in two starts.

Joe Saunders – Saunders is fitting in quite nicely with the Seattle Mariners. While his numbers aren’t astonishing he is the best pitcher so far that had been linked to the Padres this off-season. Saunders has a 1-1 record with a 3.48 ERA in two starts for the M’s. Saunders signed a one-year deal this off-season.

Shaun Marcum – Marcum hasn’t pitched a game yet in 2013 for the New York Mets. Marcum is suffering from nerve inflammation in his neck. So far Marcum has been a waste for the Mets at one-year $4million.

Justin Upton – I have every reason to believe that Upton would have been the trade that would have knocked Padres fans’ socks off. Unfortunately, Josh Byrnes was to scared to pull the trigger. That’s just to bad because Upton is having an MVP type season so far.  Upton has a .385 batting average with six home runs and 10 RBI.

Let us know in the comment box what you think about these players.

For awhile, I convinced myself to be content with the Padres holding on to their bullets. There is no need to blow up your entire farm for one player, especially if that player does not convert the team from pretender to contender. But then Keith Law’s Top 100 Prospects for 2013

“What? I’m only gone 50 games.” Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

was released and my mind completely flipped. Six Padres were listed, four are carry overs from 2012. Their 2012 ranking is in parenthesis.

36. Austin Hedges

51. Max Fried

54. Rymer Liriano (40)

60. Casey Kelly (32)

70. Jedd Gyorko (90)

88. Joe Ross (49)

Players ranked last year all went down a few spots except for Gyorko, who is arguably our most sought out prospect. But what do these rankings mean? What percentage of the guys ranked between #50 and #60 become major contributors on a big league team? Whats the probability all of them becoming everyday starters?

I have no answer to any of those questions, but I did come to a conclusion.

Since 2010, Kelly has gone from #18 on Law’s list down to #60 where he sits today. He got a few starts with the Padres, albeit prematurely, and looked OK. He was always projected to be, at best, a #2 starter in the rotation but more likely a #3 guy.

You know who else was ranked around #60 not too long ago? Simon Castro. I do not want to compare but I do want to point out the delicacy of these rankings. Castro was ranked #64 on Law’s list in 2011. We moved him to Chicago in the Quentin trade. Castro still has not been called up.

Jaff Decker was ranked #50 on MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo list of top 50 prospects  in 2010.  In 2011, he was #46 on Keith Law’s list. He has since been leapfrogged by our current set of highly touted prospects.

Unless you have a guy like Jason Heyward, Mike Trout, Stephen Strasburg, guys consistently listed #1 or #2 on EVERYONE’S list, they’re not a sure thing.

In the Peavy deal, we acquired the two best pitchers in the White Sox’s  system in Aaron Poreda and Clayton Richard. Poreda was suppose to be a stud. He’s not even on our team anymore. Three of the four players we received in the trade are not on the team.

That is how delicate and hard gauging prospects is. A sure thing can always blow up in your face and all of a sudden you are left without an ace on the staff. Even the Latos trade took a knock with the Grandal suspension.

If Byrnes had a deal on the table set for Stanton or Upton, the trigger needed to be pulled. Both are proven players and are only going to get better. Holding on to prospects and rejecting trades for players ready to play now will leave the Padres selling us the team on potential. “Yeah we’re 35-64 but look at all the high-ceiling draft picks on the field.” Is that what you want to hear in 2 years?

Why do we have to be the team that sits on prospects when we have the bullets to be firing away and taking proven talent from teams? We’re still getting a feel for our new front office but Byrnes being gun-shy for a player of Stanton or Upton’s caliber leaves me wondering if banking on our highly ranked farm wont blow up in our face.

I even wrote a blog about the impact Upton would have on the Padres, if he were traded here.  I know KT was just asking for our best prospects. But still. I wanted Upton at almost all cost.

Aug. 21, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton (10) singles to shallow left during the game against the Miami Marlins in the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

Although Upton is not a Padre, there is still reason to celebrate. For one, Upton is out of the National League West, as a Brave he would only play the Padres six times next year, as opposed to the 19 times if he were still with the D-Backs.

Let’s be real, Upton was a notorious Padre Killer.

In 80 career games against the Swinging Friars, the two-time All-Star did all the swinging, as he owns a career .323 average with 26 home runs, 37 RBIs and a .562 OBP. Upton’s career average, home runs and OBP against the Padres are the best amongst any other National League West team.

The damage doesn’t end there.

Upton could play the Padres on the moon, and he would still find a way to kill the Padres. Heck, Upton did the impossible at Petco Park, which was to put up great offensive numbers in what is considered a pitcher’s park.

The 2011 Silver Slugger has a .291 batting average, nine homers, 17 RBIs and seven stolen bases at Petco. To put up those numbers at Petco (before the outfield fences were moved in) just blows my mind. I hate to see the damage he would do with the fences moved in.

There is no escaping the 25-year-old. When the Padres traveled to Arizona, Upton would make an impact in the series. In 364 games at the D-Backs’ home field, Upton has a .307 average with 67 home runs and 219 RBIs. With those numbers at Chase Field, he can be dominant against any team.

Now, let’s take a look at Upton’s numbers at his new home at Turner Field:

For 17 games played, these numbers are not bad at all. When the Padres play the slugging right-fielder at his new location, he will definitely hurt them, based on his numbers at Turner Field.

Martin Prado who was one of  the key players acquired by the Diamondbacks for Upton and Chris Johnson, also has good statistics against the Padres but his numbers are a microcosm to what Upton has done to the Padres.

Prado, the 29-year-old Venezuelan has a .280 career batting average with four home runs and 12 RBIs in 27 games played against the Padres.

So there you have it.

Thank You, Kevin Towers for doing your former club a favor by trading away Upton. For that we say Good Bye Justin Upton! Pack your bags and don’t let the door hit you on the way out!

Statistics Courtesy Of: Baseball Reference