Report: Padres have talked to Cubs about Javier Baez

by
Mark J. Rebilas / USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

Tap here to access our MLB Trade Tracker, which includes all trades and rumors leading up to the July 31 trade deadline.

With the non-waiver trade deadline less than 48 hours away, rival teams believe the San Diego Padres, who remain six games below .500, are positioning themselves to make a "huge deal."

And a potential trade might even involve one of the game's most intriguing prospects, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.

Wielding a number of popular trade chips in Justin Upton, Tyson Ross, Andrew Cashner, and Ian Kennedy, the Padres have reportedly talked to the Chicago Cubs about Javier Baez, the 22-year-old shortstop once considered among the game's elite prospects.

Baez made his MLB debut last summer, showing both considerable power and a problematic plate approach in 52 games with the Cubs, but has spent all of 2015 at the Triple-A level after being optioned to the minors towards the end of spring training. Though he lost his sister to complications with spina bifida and battled a hand injury earlier this season, the former first-round pick has impressed for Triple-A Iowa, hitting .317/.387/.572 with 10 home runs in 38 games thus far.

Baez, the ninth overall pick in 2011, also remains under team control for six more seasons – a player who would fit A.J. Preller's mandate to add pieces who can help the Padres "beyond this season."

The Cubs, meanwhile, boast a surplus of young infielders between Baez, Starlin Castro, Addison Russell, and Kris Bryant. Castro was even linked to the Padres earlier this week, in fact, though Cubs manager Joe Maddon said he told the 25-year-old he's "not getting traded."

The Digest

Complete guide to the 2015 MLB trade deadline

by theScore Staff
Jake Roth / USA TODAY Sports

Here's everything you need to know about this year's non-waiver trade deadline, including complete coverage of the latest rumors and instant reaction leading up to the 4 p.m. ET deadline on July 31.

Trades

Mets land Cespedes from Tigers for pair of minor leaguers

Mariners deal Happ to Pirates for minor leaguer

Dodgers send Morse, cash to Pirates for Tabata

Phillies trade Revere to Blue Jays for 2 prospects

Marlins trade Sam Dyson to Rangers for 2 prospects

Athletics trade Ryan Cook to Red Sox

Indians trade Rzepczynski to Padres for Almonte

Rays trade reliever Kevin Jepsen to Twins for 2 prospects

Cubs acquire Haren from Marlins for 2 minor leaguers

Mariners trade Mark Lowe to Blue Jays for 3 prospects

Rangers officially acquire Hamels from Phillies in 8-player deal

Brewers trade Jonathan Broxton to Cardinals

Orioles acquire Parra from Brewers

Brewers trade Gomez, Fiers to Astros for package of prospects

Reds trade Leake to Giants for top pitching prospect Mella

Complete guide to the David Price trade

Complete guide to the Troy Tulowitzki trade

Dodgers acquire Latos in 13-player, 3-team swap

Tigers trade closer Joakim Soria to Pirates

Mets get Clippard in trade with Athletics

Mariners trade Dustin Ackley to Yankees

Indians trade veteran outfielder Moss to Cardinals

Angels strengthen outfield with trades for Murphy, DeJesus

Phillies trade All-Star closer Papelbon to Nationals

Hired Ace: Royals land Cueto in 4-player trade with Reds

3 things to know about the Johnny Cueto trade

A's send Zobrist to AL-leading Royals in 3-player trade

A's trade Kazmir to hometown Astros

Royals trade right-hander Joe Blanton to Pirates for cash

Mets acquire Uribe, Johnson in 4-player trade with Braves

Marlins trade former closer Steve Cishek to Cardinals

White Sox trade Gillaspie to Angels for cash

Brewers trade Aramis Ramirez to Pirates for pitching prospect Barrios

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