Padres not ignoring rumors as Deadline nears

TORONTO — With various big names being reported as potential trade chips, the Padres aren’t ignoring the pre-Deadline rumors.

Right-hander Andrew Cashner, left fielder Melvin Upton Jr. and catcher Derek Norris have reportedly been discussed in trade talks. And with one week remaining until the non-waiver Aug. 1 Trade Deadline, manager Andy Green has had conversations with all three, simply to address the possibility.

“We’ve obviously been talking to Upton and Cash,” Green said. “Then you see D-No’s name thrown around; we’ve had a casual conversation, nothing in depth. I fully expect him to continue to catch for us.

“As rumors pop up and the noise gets louder, then it becomes, in my mind, necessary to deal with, rather than ignore and act like it’s not happening.”

The most pressing trade scenario is the one involving Cashner, who is slated to pitch Tuesday night in Toronto. Since the All-Star break, Cashner’s trade value has gotten a serious boost, and many feel it would behoove the Padres to pursue a trade before his next outing.

In two second-half starts, Cashner has held the Giants and Cardinals to one run apiece. He also fanned at least eight in back-to-back starts for the first time in his career.

Green said that if anything were to happen on the Cashner trade front, righty releiver Paul Clemens …

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