Padres Reporter Thinks David Bote Will Start 2019 As San Diego's Starting 3B

Less than two weeks ago Kevin Acee from the San Diego Union-Tribune reported that the Padres had been in several talks with different teams, trying to trade for a third baseman. The team decided to move Wil Myers back to the outfield after putting him at third base as an experiment to end the 2018 season. One of the names brought up was Cubs versatile infielder David Bote as a possible trade candidate.  Here's what Acee wrote on Jan. 12.

The Padres’ preference would be a top young player to grow with the young players they already have. Among the options they have explored are deals for the Cubs’ David Bote, the Yankees’ Miguel Andujar and Reds prospect Nick Senzel. “Were definitely looking at the possibility of an upgrade from outside,” Preller said. “If it doesn’t happen, we’re looking at possibilities from within.”

OK. So, the Padres were and still are trying to figure out their third base position for 2019. There was also this piece of news dropped by Jon Heyman on Wednesday regarding the Padres.

All right, so they're probably just checking in to see exactly how low the actual offers have been for the two big free agents, Bryce Harper and Manny Machado. Let's stick with Machado, though, as it deals more directly with third base and how Bote comes into play. Acee answered questions from fans in a column Wednesday morning, before Heyman's report. He was asked if the Padres could get involved with Machado. His answer was that they possibly could, but only if the reported offer of $25 million per year from the White Sox was true.

Probably the level that has been reported the White Sox were in at — and which his agent denied — which is about $25 million a year.

Remember, Machado's agent publicly called out Bob Nightengale and Buster Olney last week, saying their reporting of a seven year, $175 million offer from the White Sox to Machado was false. Then, Acee was asked who was going to be the Padres starting third baseman in 2019.

I wish I could tell you. They wish they could tell you.

They expect a lot to fall in place after Manny Machado signs.

Educated guess: David Bote.

We've seen reporters tie themselves into knots this offseason, trying to get out any scoop they can, mostly failing and looking extremely foolish in the process. Yet, Acee's educated guess, saying David Bote is going to be the Padres' third baseman kind of feels like it's coming from a place of knowledge. Almost as if Acee has been told the talks between the Cubs and Padres may have progressed? If there is a trade involving Bote to the Padres, the Cubs would have to attach one of their smaller bad money contracts in the deal. I mean, Bote isn't getting paid much, has minor league options, plays great defense at a few positions and can be serviceable all over the infield and still has offensive potential despite his dreadful conclusion to the 2018 season with the Cubs. Acee didn't give any names that the Padres would need to send over to the Cubs to get a trade done, but San Diego has an interesting roster that Theo Epstein could definitely find a helpful player. Maybe a cheap reliever, or an extra outfielder, or maybe Austin Hedges, to be Willson Contreras' backup. Or maybe we're just over speculating an educated guess.