The San Diego Padres are 4.5 games back of the Los Angeles Dodgers for the NL West, and with the MLB trade deadline approaching, they have an opportunity to shore up any weaknesses and push for the division title.
Last year, the Padres had the Dodgers on the brink of elimination in the Division Series, having a 2-1 series lead at one point. Los Angeles was able to overcome the deficit and eliminate San Diego.
Ahead of the deadline, the question the Padres front office needs to tell themselves is how in they want to go this season. San Diego are rebuilding their farm system, so their trade chips are probably limited.
Still, despite not having the trade capital, MLB insider Ken Rosenthal has no pulse on what the Padres plan to do, but he expects San Diego to do something leading up to the deadline.
“The other team that we have to watch, because A.J. Preller is so creative and aggressive always, is San Diego,” Rosenthal said Friday on “Foul Territory.” “And I don’t know that they’re going to go crazy, and their system is not what it once was, and we don’t know how much payroll flexibility they have, but they have a clear need in left field.
“They could certainly use another reliever because, as good as their bullpen is with three All-Stars — and [Jeremiah] Estrada could have been an All-Star — those guys are all up near the lead in appearances.
“And then a starting pitcher, as well, would be something that would behoove them — a controllable starter, ideally, with [Dylan] Cease and [Michael] King both eligible for free agency. I can’t predict and will not predict what A.J. Preller might do, but do I expect him to be busy? Oh, yeah. Oh. That’s what he does.”
The Padres are a team to keep eyes on at the trade deadline, says @Ken_Rosenthal.
“I can’t predict and will not predict what AJ Preller might do, but do I expect him to be busy? Oh yeah, always.” pic.twitter.com/ikpphA3FH7
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) July 18, 2025
If San Diego are within striking distance of the Dodgers, it will be interesting to see what the Padres are willing to give up in a trade or have they set a limit to ensure that they don’t hurt their farm system.
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