Hot Stove Report: Possible New Chihuahuas Players

Both Baseball America and Minor League Baseball give detailed updates on the latest minor league transactions.

Here are some recent moves made by the San Diego Padres that could be relevant to the 2016 El Paso Chihuahuas' roster. As always, the players listed are only potential Chihuahuas. Some names below could be with San Diego or a different MLB organization by April of next year.

Carlos Asuaje: The 24-year-old infielder was acquired by San Diego from the Boston Red Sox in November's Craig Kimbrel trade. After a strong 2015 season with Boston's Double-A team and a standout stint in this year's Arizona Fall League, we could see Asuaje promoted to Triple-A El Paso in 2016.

Ryan Buchter: The former Atlanta Braves reliever signed a minor league contract with the Padres for 2016. He spent last season in the Pacific Coast League, splitting his year between Iowa and Oklahoma City.

Nick Evans: The 29-year-old plays first base, third base and outfield and has major league time with the New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks. Evans hit .310 with 17 home runs for Triple-A Reno last season, including one homer at Southwest University Park. 

(Evans is pictured above. Photo courtesy of David Calvert/Reno Aces)

Rocky Gale: According to Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune, Gale has re-signed with the Padres after the club took him off their 40-man roster in early December. Gale led the Pacific Coast League in caught stealing percentage in 2015 and it's possible the Chihuahuas will get him back in 2016.

Johnny Hellweg: The 6-foot-7 pitcher appeared in eight games for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2013 but has been harmed by arm injuries since. Hellweg could be part of the Chihuahuas' 2016 pitching staff in some capacity.

Erik Kratz: The three-time Triple-A All-Star catcher signed a 2016 minor league contract with the Padres. Kratz has appeared in the major leagues each of the last six seasons, including the last two with the World Series champion Kansas City Royals. 

Daniel McCutchen: The 33-year-old was one of the best pitchers in the Pacific Coast League last season and was a big reason why the Chihuahuas won the Southern Division. He reportedly has signed a minor league contract to return to the Padres organization in 2016.

Carlos Pimentel: In a move that his flown under the radar, the Padres reportedly signed the 2015 Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year to a minor league contract. Pimentel went 12-6 with a 2.95 ERA for the Iowa Cubs last year, including tossing seven shutout innings in El Paso on June 1. 

Ryan Schimpf: The former college standout at LSU is joining the Padres after seven seasons in the Blue Jays organization, where he has hit 23 home runs or more in each of the last three seasons. Schimpf played second base, third base and shortstop in his time with Toronto's minor league system. 

We will keep you posted this winter as future roster predictions unfold.

The Chihuahuas are hosting the San Diego Padres in an exhibition game on March 31, 2016! The only way to guarantee seats is to be a Full Season or Paw-tial Seat plan holder. Call (915) 533-BASE for more information.