Typically, Baseball Prospectus absolutely kills transaction analyses … and R.J. Anderson’s take on the big Reds-Padres is no exception. His big finish on San Diego’s side of the equation:
If nothing else, the Padres’ farm system—which already featured nine four-star prospects—just added some additional talent. Things might not be pretty for the major league team in 2012, but San Diego could come to mean “loaded” in German from 2013 onward.
As always, we might be too bullish on the young team’s short-term prospects. The Padres won’t be good in 2012 and they probably won’t be real good in 2013, either. But they are loaded with young talent and, considering their competition, I do expect San Diego to be in the thick of the pennant race in 2014 or ‘15. Which might seem like a long ways off if you’re a fan, but otherwise will pass in the snap of your fingers.