Padres rumors: Joe Thatcher, Luke Gregerson still on the block, OFs off-limits

San Diego is more likely to move Thatcher than Gregerson, and is unwilling to listen to offers on its outfielders.

Jul 31, 2013, 3:43 PM UTC

Dilip Vishwanat

UPDATE 12:40p.m. ET: The Red Sox and Pirates are reportedly "sniffing on" Luke Gregerson, per Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, which is equally intriguing and gross.

ORIGINAL: The San Diego Padres haven't made any deadline moves as of yet, but they appear poised to make a move or two before Wednesday afternoon. The club is still shopping some of its bullpen arms, but at the moment southpaw Joe Thatcher is more likely to be dealt than right-hander Luke Gregerson, reports Jayson Stark of ESPN.

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Stark also hears that the Friars are “saying no” to all offers for any of their outfielders, indicating that the club may be in a very limited sell mode, if they are at all.

The Tigers, Braves, Red Sox, Pirates, Dodgers, and Phillies all scouted San Diego's series in Milwaukee last week, but it's unclear which teams are still on the market for relief help. Detroit, Atlanta, Boston, and Los Angeles have all added bullpen help between then and now, so the interest in the Friars' relievers may have dwindled significantly in the last several days.

ESPN's Buster Olney hears that the Padres would have to be "inspired" to move either Thatcher or Gregerson, which probably doesn't increase their chances of moving before Wednesday's deadline. Both pitchers have a year of arbitration remaining, so the club still has plenty of time to move them in the future if they don't do so this week.

Thatcher, 31, has pitched out of San Diego’s bullpen for parts of seven seasons, accruing a 3.18 earned-run average in nearly 200 innings. He owns a solid 2.10 ERA and a ridiculous seven-to-one strikeout-to-walk ratio in 30 innings this year.

Gregerson, 29, has been similarly effective in relief for the Friars over the last several years, posting a 2.92 ERA in five full seasons. The right-hander has a 2.91 ERA and has struck out four batters for every walk in 43⅓ innings this year.