The San Diego Padres will be in the market for power hitting upgrades ahead of the trade deadline. At 44-37, third-place in the NL West, the Padres could try to make a run at the division title with a splash move at the deadline.
One name that has been mentioned is Texas Rangers’ outfielder Adolis García. ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel identified San Diego as a potential landing sport for the 25-year-old.
“Garcia averaged 30 homers in 2021 through 2024, but he has fallen off since his 2023 career year. It’s worth noting that per wOBA, he has been the 17th-most unlucky hitter in the big leagues this year, and he has another year of team control, so some teams could see a trade as a good value opportunity,” Passan and McDaniel wrote.
This season, García has struggled at the plate, batting just .229 with nine home runs and a .666 OPS in 275 at-bats. He is under a two-year, $14 million deal that expires at the end of this season, and with the team sitting at 40-42, and fourth in the AL West, it makes him a prime suspect to be moved at the deadline.
Per FanSided’s Nicole Bacoyanis, the Padres rank 25th in MLB in WRC+ from left fielders, making García a potentially good fit if the Padres wish to make a playoff push. Despite his struggles this season, García has a track record of success, especially in the 2023 playoffs when hit 8 home runs with a 1.108 OPS to help the Rangers win the World Series. Should the Padres swing a trade, a change of scenery could benefit both parties in both the long and short-term.
