The San Diego Padres have a strong team that is capable of a deep postseason run if they make some key upgrades before the trade deadline on July 31.
At 50-43, San Diego is five-and-a-half games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers for first place in the National League West but just a half-game back from the third NL Wild Card spot.
Left field has been a massive problem for the Padres and A.J. Preller should be doing everything he can to trade for Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran or someone of his caliber.
The catcher position has also been a problem for San Diego. Elias Díaz and Martín Maldonado have provided practically nothing from an offensive standpoint.
FanSided’s Lior Lampert wrote about trade rumors circulating around the league, and the Padres are in on a former All-Star catcher having a solid year.
Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy could be on the move, given the emergence of rookie Drake Baldwin.
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Murphy, 30, is having a bounce-back season after having a dreadful year. The 2023 All-Star has 13 home runs and 32 RBI while slashing .226/.308/.478 in 57 games this season.
The Braves don’t want to have a fire sale, but there will be tons of interest in Murphy according to The Athletic’s Jim Bowden.
“Bowden mentioned the San Diego Padres and Tampa Bay Rays as suitors that “would like to pry” Murphy from the Braves,” wrote Lampert. “Atlanta’s postseason odds are slim to non-existent, and that shortlist Rookie of the Year candidate Drake Baldwin is their backstop of the future.”
Murphy would be a massive upgrade for the Padres and instantly boost their postseason chances.
More MLB: Padres-Rangers trade idea sends 2-time All-Star right fielder to San Diego
