Report: Padres asked Dodgers for Verdugo in Hand trade talks

With just under three weeks to go until the non-waiver trade deadline, the San Diego Padres' asking price for left-handed reliever - and newly minted All-Star - Brad Hand remains high.

In trade discussions with the Los Angeles Dodgers regarding Hand, the Padres asked for top prospect Alex Verdugo, a 21-year-old outfielder hitting .346/.416/.463 with three homers, 18 doubles, and eight stolen bases in 79 games with Triple-A Oklahoma City in 2017, sources told Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.

Though the Dodgers aren't likely to accept a deal with that framework, the division-leaders could use a reliable left-hander down in the bullpen, as both Luis Avilan and Grant Dayton, who's been on the disabled list since July 3 due to neck stiffness, have struggled this year.

Meanwhile, Hand, who's also drawn interest from the New York Yankees and Washington Nationals, shined in the first half of the season, posting a career-best 2.30 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 42 appearances while managing the ninth-highest strikeout rate (32.1 percent) among qualified National League relievers. Since debuting with the Padres in 2016, the 27-year-old has accrued more WAR (2.7) than all but six relievers in the majors, authoring a 2.71 ERA with a 3.49 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his last 124 outings.