I mean, yeah, they need to give the Padres something they'd want more than having Kim on their team. That goes without saying. Which is why I said I didn't think the Pivetta, Verdugo, Dalbec offer would get it done and why I proposed a deal centered around Houck. It would give the Padres a guy who can start or relieve, similar to what they had in Nick Martinez last year. It gives them a cost-controlled SP for next year when Darvish and Snell are free agents. Maybe that's not enough for SD to give up on Kim, but I think it's a solid start for both teams.Are the Padres actually shopping Kim? Or are they just willing to listen to offers (overpays) for a player they like and have a role for?
I think the Sox are most likely competing against the Padres for a talent that the Padres like and plan to use. Not sure that looking at the holes in other teams as if it is a competition just between those few teams and the Red Sox is particularly helpful unless the Padres are motivated sellers.
It doesn't seem like they are.