The San Diego Padres really need to find a replacement for Heath Bell and they also need to fill out the bench with better players than they had last year. Here is a look at the trio I would sign if I were running the San Diego Padres:

1. Brad Lidge - Brad Lidge still has dominating stuff and Bud Black would coach him up into the pitcher he used to be when he was dominating the N.L.

2. Adam Kennedy - Adam Kennedy can play anywhere on the infield and the Padres were pretty brittle there in 2011.

3. Reed Johnson - Reed Johnson is a hustle player for the bench that can play any spot in the outfield. He also has a very solid bat off the bench.

The Padres are looking to deal pitching and they will be busy this week. Aaron Harang, Heath Bell, Chad Qualls and Mike Adams are all on the trade block and they should each bring a nice return for the Padres, who are on the hunt for young hitters. The Padres could also move lefty starter/reliever Wade LeBlanc this week. The Padres are also interested in dealing outfielder Ryan Ludwick who is one of the best hitters on the trade market. They should get a nice ransom in return for Ludwick. Chris Denorfia, Orlando Hudson, Brad Hawpe and Alberto Gonzalez are also on the trading block for the Padres. The Padres need to make some big changes before they are ready to compete and that will start this week.

The San Diego Padres aren’t going anywhere this year because they just can’t hit. It’s time for the Padres to start reloading by making some deals. SS Jason Bartlett, closer Heath Bell and lefty reliever/starter Wade LeBlanc interest the Cardinals. I suggest dealing that trio for 3B/OF Allen Craig, infielder Danny Descalso, 2B/OF Skip Schumaker, 3B Matt Carpenter and righty starter/reliever Maikel Cleto. Then I would flip 2B Orlando Hudson to the Giants for lefty reliever Dan Runzler. Finally, I could see the Padres shipping righty reliever Chad Qualls to the Phillies for righty reliever Drew Carpenter and David Herndon. The Padres are going to get calls on a lot of their players but they shouldn’t deal anyone without getting a good return for them.

The Padres are likely going to blow up this team at the end of July to try to add some offense to the organization for the future. Ryan Ludwick, Heath Bell and Aaron Harang will likely bring the most in return for the Padres. Orlando Hudson, Todd Hundley, Chase Headley, Brad Hawpe, Jason Bartlett, Chris Denorfia, Alberto Gonzalez, Chad Qualls, Will Venable and Wade LeBlanc will probably all be on the block for the Padres. The Padres as they are set up right now are never going to be a big time winner due to an utter lack of offense. So it makes sense to start rebuilding right now for the future.

The Padres have a lot of decisions to make this winter with nine pending free agents. Here’s how I think they are going to handle each situation:

Jon Garland: 31-year old righty starting pitcher Jon Garland started 33 games for the Padres last season and he was 14-12 with a 3.47 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. The Padres hold an option for 2011 worth $6.75 million bucks on Garland or they can buy hit out for $600K. VERDICT: I think the Padres are going to pick up Garland’s option because he pitched well for them last year.

Miguel Tejada: 36-year old righty swinging shortstop Miguel Tejada played in 59 games for the Padres last year and he was 63 of 235 (.268 avg, .730 OPS) with 31 runs scored, 8 homers, 32 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. He played in 156 games combined for the Padres & Orioles last season and he was 171 of 636 (.269 avg, .692 OPS) with 71 runs scored, 15 homers, 71 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. VERDICT: Word is that the Padres would like to bring back Tejada but only if the price is right.

Kevin Correia: 30-year old righty starting pitcher Kevin Correia pitched in 28 games (26 starts) for the Padres last season and he was 10-10 with a 5.40 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP. VERDICT: I see the Padres letting Correia walk as he was pretty bad for them in 2010 after a very solid 2009 season.

David Eckstein: 35-year old righty swinging 2B/SS David Eckstein played in 116 games for the Padres last season and he was 118 of 442 (.267 avg, .647 OPS) with 49 runs scored, 1 homer, 29 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. VERDICT: The Padres would likely want to bring back Eckstein as he is a good role model for the younger players on the team.

Jerry Hairston: 34-year old righty swinging 2B/SS Jerry Hairston played in 119 games for the Padres last year and he was 105 of 430 (.244 avg, .652 OPS) with 53 runs scored, 10 homers, 50 RBIs and 9 stolen bases. VERDICT: This will be a tough call especially if the Padres keep Hairston’s brother (Scott) again in 2011. I think they would only bring him back if the price was right.

Yorvit Torrealba: 32-year old righty swinging catcher Yorvit Torrealba has turned down his half of a mutual option for 2011 valued at $3.5 million bucks. He will get a $500K buyout instead. Torrealba played in 95 games for the Padres last season and he was 67 of 243 (.276 avg, .707 OPS) with 31 runs scored, 7 homers, 37 RBIs and 7 stolen bases. VERDICT: Torrealba will sign with someone else and the Padres will get another catcher to share time with Nick Hundley in 2011.

Chris Young: 31-year old righty starting pitcher Chris Young started 4 games for the Padres this year and he was 2-0 with a 0.90 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. VERDICT: I see Young walking away from the Padres.

Matt Stairs: 42-year old lefty swinging outfielder Matt Stairs played in 78 games for the Padres last season and he was 23 of 99 (.232 avg, .781 OPS) with 14 runs scored, 6 homers, 16 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. VERDICT: Stairs wants to play another year and he does provide punch off the bench so I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Padres sign him for 2011.

Jody Gerut: 33-year old lefty swinging outfielder Jody Gerut played in 32 games for the Brewers last year and he was 14 of 71 (.197 avg, .596 OPS) with 7 runs scored, 2 homers and 8 RBIs. VERDICT: The Padres might invite him to spring training but that’s about the best he can expect out of them.