Sorting the merits of Tuesday’s three-team trade involving the Padres’ Franmil Reyes and Reds uber-prospect Taylor Trammell boils down to head versus heart.

For Padres fans, the organ beating in their collective chest is bruised over the loss of Reyes, a favorite who would sing and dance while bashing 27 home runs along the fun-loving way.

For baseball insiders, the Padres blocked out the noise and used the gray matter parked between their ears. They had to move a corner outfielder eventually, so why not shop a defensive liability and designated hitter in National League clothing for a far more complete player like Trammell who can help you in center field — a position of true need?

The most interesting subplot, though: This feels like a watershed moment for General Manager A.J. Preller and his group of front-office thinkers.


Is he the button-pusher who stole singular star Fernando Tatis Jr. from the White Sox? Is he the decision maker who gave up Trea Turner for Wil Myers, then doubled down with a cringe-worthy contract? Is he the person who hoodwinked the Marlins by landing starter Chris Paddack? Or will he be judged by surrendering All-Star closer Brad Hand for work-in-progress catcher Francisco Mejia?

Sentiment had shifted in Preller’s direction once Tatis Jr. and Paddack were in the fold, slicing through the system at light speed. The “In Preller We Trust” shirts began popping up like dandelions.

The Reyes-Trammell move, however, strains unlike almost no other due to its timing. As 2020 looms, most fans look at this as a subtle ask for more patience — for a base that’s been patient forever. That crowd sees two guys who played in the big leagues this season packing up lockers for one minor-leaguer who isn’t ready yet.


This isn’t a move aimed at the future for a team that’s far away from legitimate playoff contention. This is a move for the future with a team that’s supposed to be crashing through the front door.

That’s the meaningful difference with this situation by this front office.

“What we weren’t going to do,” Preller said during a conference call Wednesday, “was kind of short-circuit the build to try to take a run at the next six to eight weeks.”

Arguments about the deal will linger. Scouts and analytics guys see the tools and upside of Trammell, a much needed left-handed bat with wheels and robust on-base percentage who could be special. Emphasis on “could be.”


Pragmatists see a guy regressing as he battles Double-A pitching, while a masher heads to the Indians. ESPN’s Keith Law lauded the move, while also pointing out a key question mark about Trammell.

“The San Diego Padres look like the biggest winners here … (but Trammel is) lacking the arm for anywhere but left field.”

When pressed, Preller admitted that part of Trammell’s game will be a work in progress when he begins in Amarillo.

“There’s more to outfield play than just pure arm strength,” Preller said. “… I think there’s been plenty of impact outfielders that haven’t had well-above-average arms from center field. What we’re looking for is somebody who can cover ground, gets good reads and routes and is able to utilize accuracy to make up for not having a plus throwing arm.”


So the referendum on Preller and Co. becomes: Did the Padres get enough in return for a move that creates needed space on the crowded 40-man roster?

The heart-first crowd waited … and waited … and waited to hear who else would be part of the haul for Reyes and two others. Surely, they wouldn’t give up two guys playing at the top for one prospect in an organization jammed with so many of them already? Many fans thought another shoe surely would drop. Was Trammell a carrot for a bigger deal with another team?

Preller acknowledged exploring ways to avoid including Reyes in the package — despite his defense, despite a sluggish 0.4 Wins Above Replacement total — but the Padres were highly motivated to break loose a former Futures Game MVP in Trammell.

“It takes good players to get good players,” he said.


The head-first crowd thought realized you’re not moving Hunter Renfroe, who has bashed 29 homers and leads big-league outfielders with 19 defensive runs saved. You’re on the hook for Myers — essentially un-tradeable right now with big paydays coming — while left-handed bats like Josh Naylor and Franchy Cordero linger along the fringes.

So, the debate will rage. Is Preller is a prospect-chasing machine without the instinct or inclination to turn the corner at the big-league level? Or is he someone who can divorce himself from the emotions and sexy highlights that swirl around a player like Reyes and wisely let numbers rule?

“It just didn’t quite line up,” Preller said of a splashy big-club addition beyond Cubs reliever Carl Edwards Jr. “… It wasn’t for lack of conversation and being prepared to try and do something.”

Preller talked about focusing on a wild-card run now that the deadline dust-ups have passed. That’s not happening. At all. But I digress.


If Preller and Co. hit big on Trammell, the sparkling run of Tatis Jr., Paddack and a big-time outfielder who could fuel playoff runs would seal his Padres legacy.

For a fan base tired of hearing about “a season or two down the road,” though, it’s a hard sell.