With the Padres yesterday acquiring yet another player, Bobby Hill, whose best position is third base, it appears even more likely that reserve third baseman Sean Burroughs will be traded. Hill, a utility man obtained from the Pirates for a fringe minor leaguer, is the fourth third basemen acquired by San Diego in the last four weeks. The 27-year-old former Cubs prospect joins Vinny Castilla, the starter, and reserve third basemen Geoff Blum and Justin Leone. Hill is a switch-hitter and leadoff prospect who batted .269 with a .343 on-base percentage for the Pirates last year. General Manager Kevin Towers said Hill's best position is probably third base. Hill, who was removed from Pittsburgh's 40-man roster over the weekend, reputedly is a decent second baseman with subpar range. "We think he has tremendous upside," Towers said. The Padres are openly shopping Burroughs, who also could join the pool of free agents next month if the Padres don't tender him a contract. "There's a better than average chance he'll be moved in a trade before the end of the winter," Towers said. The Padres have discussed sending Burroughs and outfielder Dave Roberts to the Boston Red Sox for pitcher David Wells, who wants to be dealt to San Diego. Boston's acquisition of pitcher Josh Beckett last night made Wells more expendable. "We have had some dialogue with Boston," Towers said. "We have some other needs on our ballclub that are probably more of a priority than a starting pitcher."