Future Padre - Joe Crede (?) / Josh Fields (?)

Two AL teams, the Chicago White Sox and the Cleveland Indians are potential trading partners in the Padres’ search for a third baseman. Here is the profile for the White Sox’ two…

Joe Crede – Joe Crede is every bit the enigma that Alfonso Soriano is (just for different reasons). On one hand, Crede has hit 19, 21, 22, and 30 home runs in his four full season of Major League Baseball. On the other hand, his on-base percentages for the same years were: .308, .299, .303, and .323. He clearly has decent power, but does he, or will he get on base enough to be an offensive asset?

As a minor league player, Crede hit .292/.353/.464 with 236 BB and 516 SO in 2761 at-bats. Splitting time between AAA Charlotte and the White Sox, Crede hit a career high 36 HR in 2002.

Crede plays an above-average third base. But he may have to go under the knife this off-season for back troubles.

If Joe Crede is healthy and was on a team that preached plate discipline, I think he would rebound towards his .350ish minor league on-base levels and maintain his 25+ HR power. However with his back troubles, he’s a risky acquisition.

Josh Fields – With Joe Crede manning third base, White Sox’ minor league third baseman Josh Fields may move to left field (that is if Crede and Fields are still with the White Sox in ’07).

Josh Fields was the #4 prospect in the White Sox organization heading into 2006. He is an excellent athlete and was the starting QB for Oklahoma St. Not surprisingly for a former QB, Fields has excellent arm strength.

In 124 AAA games this year, Josh hit .305/.379/.515 with 32 doubles, 4 triples, and 19 home runs. He also stole 28 bases (getting caught only 5 times). His plate discipline could use some work. Fields only walked 54 times in 462 at-bats while striking out 136 times.

As a career minor leaguer, Josh has hit .279/.354/.458. I do not foresee Josh putting up season after season of .300/.380/.500 hitting, but several .280/.350/.460’s wouldn’t surprise me (and it wouldn’t surprise me to see an extra 10-20 points of slugging either).

The one problem with both players is that the Padres do not match up as ideal trading partners. The Padres could offer Carrillo, but coming off an injury-marred year, his value is low. Similarly Linebrink would be extremely valuable as a closer to Cleveland, but the White Sox have Bobby Jenks thereby diminishing Linebrink’s value.

I do not see the Padres and White Sox matching up, but then a three-way trade could be worked out as well. Either way, both players have intriguing qualities that make them desirable.