Yesterday the Athletics continued their tear down as they traded Sean Manaea to the Padres for prospects.

I don’t think this trade makes much of an impact for either club this season. Oakland looked to be a terrible team with or without Manaea. Manaea replaces Mike Clevinger in the Padres rotation. Clevinger developed a bad knee as he works back from Tommy John surgery. Clevinger healthy is a better pitcher than Manaea.

This trade helps the Padres down the road, maybe as early as the second half of the 2022 season. If Clevinger comes back healthy along with the return of Fernando Tatis, Jr, the Padres could have a strong second half. The trick will be to stay close enough in the first half for a big surge to bring them to the playoffs. Manaea keeps the rotation in the same spot as before so they can hold that line.