Padres News: Joe Musgrove Warns Friars Fans, Front Office to Stay Patient

Musgrove pleads his case for why the Padres shouldn't be sellers.

If any contending team gets a sniff that Josh Hader or Blake Snell is on the open market, AJ Preller will be fielding quite a few phone calls.

However, it appears that the Padres are, at the very least, hesitant to trade away two of the best at their position. With such an expensive lineup full of undeniably talented players, the Friars have shown flashes of the team fans expected them to become in 2023. However, the Padres still sit 6.5 games out of the playoffs and are in dire need of a winning streak.

Joe Musgrove is certain that the Padres will be in the mix for the playoffs, with or without Snell or Hader.

That being said, the Padres' starter made a statement to both fans and the front office that San Diego needs the two to stick around for the rest of the season.

"I understand the fans are frustrated and looking forward to next year," Musgrove said Wednesday. "But when we're a game out and don't have Snell or Hader, we'll be kicking ourselves."

(Via

The San Diego Union-Tribune

)

Musgrove, who grew up a San Diego fan, has been solid in July, other than a 3 ER performance in Detroit last week. 

The Padres have done little to back up the 30-year-old's bold claims, but holding onto Snell and Hader would certainly boost their chances.

What some fans, the ones Musgrove says are "looking forward to next year", might want is a return on the massive value that Snell and Hader hold. With both pitchers set to hit free agency after the 2023 season, there is a solid chance that neither will remain in San Diego on opening day next season.

However, if the Padres do still believe they are contenders for a spot in the postseason, getting rid of Snell and Hader would be a massive detriment to their potential success.

We will find out in which direction the Padres decide to go on the first of August.