Before MLB’s trade deadline, there was a lot of outcry from the Friar faithful that the outfield needed to be addressed. President of baseball operations, AJ Preller, did just that by adding Ramon Laureano from the Baltimore Orioles.
Laureano has thrived during his short time with San Diego, and Padres’ insider AJ Cassavell believes that he will be the 2026 Opening Day left fielder. Ramon has a $6.5 million club option for 2026, and it would be silly for the Padres not to give that to him.
Ramon Laureano keeps on producing
This decision should be a no-brainer for the Padres’ front office. In 28 games with San Diego, he has seven home runs and is slugging .581 with an OPS+ of 152 with the Friars. Laureano has really come into his own with the bat over the past few seasons.
“The transition has been seamless,” wrote Cassavell. “The Padres were already expected to pick up Laureano’s $6 million team option for next season. But given the way he’s performed — and the fit — that option looks especially team-friendly right now.
“Laureano appears destined to become the Padres’ 2026 Opening Day left fielder. That was baked into the price the Padres paid the Orioles when they traded for him at the Deadline. But now they won’t need to spend any further resources looking for a left fielder this offseason.”
The Padres are still in a dog fight in the National League West with the Los Angeles Dodgers. With one month left in the MLB season, San Diego will need to see continued production from Laureano, as he is carrying the freight for a team that has lackluster slugging numbers.
As for the future, if Laureano’s club option is picked up, it’s hard to believe they will go any other route for their starting left fielder when next season rolls around.
