How A Padres, Cubs, And Sox Three Way Could Work

Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com apparently quashed speculation that the Padres, Cubs and Red Sox were talking about a three team deal that involved the following:

• Boston Gets 1B Adrian Gonzalez
• Cubs Get CF Jacoby Ellsbury and RHP Clay Buchholz
• San Diego Gets RHP Andrew Cashner, 3B Josh Vitters, 3rd Prospect

Is this a joke? How do the Padres get any better? Cashner is an interesting arm, but the shine has worn off of Vitters a lot with his struggles since becoming a pro. And the Padres have made it known they want a pitcher back, one that could help them immediately.

The only way I can see this deal working is the following way, without involving other teams:

Chicago Cubs

• Obtain: CF Jacoby Ellsbury, 1B Lars Anderson
• Trade: 3B Josh Vitters, RHP Andrew Cashner, C Wellington Castillo

This trade is largely redundant thanks to the signing of Marlon Byrd, but it would net them Ellsbury, who could start in center and allowing Byrd to cycle between the three spots, while also getting them a potential successor to Anderson, who could trhive once out of the Red Sox's bright lights and intense fanbase.

Boston Red Sox

Obtain:  1B Adrian Gonzalez, 3B Josh Vitters

Trade:  RHP Clay Buchholz, CF Jacoby Ellsbury, RHP Michael Bowden, 1B Lars Anderson, INF Jed Lowrie

The Sox finally get the slugger they covet, and get a worthwhile prospect for their troubles.

San Diego Padres

Obtain:  RHP Clay Buchholz, RHP Andrew Cashner, RHP Michael Bowden, INF Jed Lowrie, C Wellington Castillo

Trade: 1B Adrian Gonzalez

And the Padres get their two major league ready arms in Buchholz and Bowden, a catcher of the future in Castillo, a live arm in Cashner, and a potential second baseman in Lowrie.

Expect to see more scenarios coming up for different players.  I may try to revive an old Fox Blog segment: On The Block!