Padres Rumors: Josh Hader Picked as Most Likely Friar to Be Traded This Deadline

Will the Padres sell their star?

As we sit here on July 28th, just four days before MLB's August 1 deadline, no one knows for sure whether the San Diego Padres will be buyers in the coming days or if they'll ultimately come to the conclusion that it would be best to deal their stars.

And there's been conflicting reports in recent days surrounding the Padres' best two pitchers in starter Blake Snell and lockdown closer Josh Hader.

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported on Wednesday that San Diego wasn't willing to discuss potential trades involving either of the two, while USA Today's Bob Nightengale tweeted on Thursday that teams around the league expect them to be dealt, especially Hader.

Nightengale isn't alone, as Bleacher Report's MLB insiders named the All-Star closer as the most likely Padre to be dealt.

"The Padres are a true bubble team at the deadline. It’s possible they won’t want to sell. Yet, given their current circumstances, it makes more sense to sell than buy. And Josh Hader would garner a huge return as one of the game’s most elite closers." (via Bleacher Report)

As of Friday, San Diego's playoff odds look meager at best, as they're six and a half games out in the chase for the last playoff spot.

And the Padres would surely get a haul for the All-Star, as any contender would certainly enjoy adding Hader to their bullpen as he boasts an 0.95 ERA on the year with 24 saves over 28 opportunities.

Even though the franchise is leaving the door open to keep their stars through the deadline, it would make a lot of sense for them to get the high value out of their impending free agent closer.

Trading Hader would be confirmation of a lost season, but it's difficult to see the Padres suddenly going on the greatest of turnarounds with the way things look.