Padres drawing scrutiny after trades with Marlins and Red Sox

ByBuster Olney ESPN logo
Saturday, August 6, 2016

Recent trades by the San Diego Padres are drawing scrutiny within the industry over the question of whether they properly shared relevant medical information in trades executed with the Boston Red Sox and the Miami Marlins, according to league sources.

Major League Baseball is aware of the concerns and reviewing the exchanges, although it is unclear whether the Padres face specific penalties or reprimand. The Marlins have received a remedy already, and the Red Sox are not seeking remedy or an alteration of their deal for Pomeranz, sources say.

The examination of the Padres moves have led to a larger conversation within Major League Baseball about establishing clear and written protocol about what teams involved in deals must disclose, in medical information, as they prepare trades.

Last month, the Boston Red Sox swapped star pitching prospect Anderson Espinoza for Drew Pomeranz, a left-hander named to the National League All-Star team earlier this year. According to sources, the Red Sox have become aware of medical information with Pomeranz that they believe was not properly disclosed during the trade talks.

As deals are executed, clubs are generally expected to reveal all necessary medical records to provide as complete a picture as possible for a team acquiring a player. Medical review of all players involved in any proposed deal is a standard part of the process.

Last week, the Padres traded pitchers Colin Rea and Andrew Cashner to the Miami Marlins for a package of players that included prospect Luis Castillo. In the fourth inning of Rea's first start with Marlins, he had to come out of the game with an elbow problem, and according to sources, Rea informed the Marlins' staff that his discomfort dated back to his time with the Padres and that he had been treated. Sources say the Marlins maintain they were not aware of this at the time the trade was executed.

Two days later, with the Marlins angry about Rea's injury, he was returned to San Diego in a swap for Castillo.

Sources say Padres executive Ron Fowler is aware of the MLB review.