Our team-by-team Trade Deadline Outlook series continues with the Padres. San Diego's top-heavy roster makes it easy to identify the priorities. If they remain resistant to trading either of their top prospects, they could pivot to under-the-radar or rental trade targets.
Record: 52-44 (48.3% playoff probability, per FanGraphs)
Other series entries: Rockies, Giants, Phillies, Pirates, Astros, Marlins, Athletics, Orioles, White Sox, Nationals, Cubs, Rays, Dodgers, Braves, Yankees, Angels, Mets, Blue Jays, Mariners
Buy Mode
Potential needs: Catcher, left field, starting pitcher, utility infielder
San Diego has had the same top few needs going back to the offseason. Free agent departures of Kyle Higashioka and Jurickson Profar left them without answers at catcher and in left field, respectively. The rotation depth has been a question since Joe Musgrove underwent Tommy John surgery. The late-offseason Nick Pivetta signing has been massive, but the back of the rotation still feels tenuous. Low-cost pickups in catcher and left field have not panned out, leaving the Padres to address both positions over the next two and a half weeks.
The Padres have had arguably the worst catching tandem in MLB. Elias Díaz and Martín Maldonado have combined to hit .195/.255/.306 over 327 plate appearances. Neither player rates highly as a pitch framer. While both players, especially Maldonado, have a strong reputation for the unquantifiable aspects of catcher defense (e.g. game-calling, managing a pitching staff), the production has not been there. It speaks to how far former top prospect Luis Campusano has fallen in the organization's eyes that he hasn't gotten an opportunity this year.
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Joey Bart or Henry Davis of the Pirates seem like potential targets / trade chips.
It’s an unfortunate reflection of the Padres catching situation that as rough a season as Bart and Davis have had, either would immediately become the primary catcher for SD.
Bart, in particular, might be interesting if another change of scenery can kick start him again.
Bart is pretty good offensively he just gets hurt a lot and his power disappeared. Last year he was a revelation.
most people don’t usually call up newly drafted players because they have to go report to either Arizona or Florida for special training for newly drafted players. They don’t go immediately to the MLB. especially if they are highschoolers.
JJ Bleday had 20 homers and 40 doubles last year.
He’s having a down year this but could be worth taking a flier on.
Just a note … Bleday is playing in Triple-A.
Maybe the Padres won’t manage to downgrade this time…
*prayer hands emoji*
Trust in AJ.
LFGSD!
Hey Gwynning. I pretty much ignored most of this overview, knowing AJ as I do, but the very last sentence of the very last paragraph rings true as to why it’s so much better being a Padre fan these last 5 or 6 years than ever before. Lfgsd
We know he is going to do something to try to improve the team for sure. Some moves work and some don’t but trying for sure.
100%. Gone are the days of Chase Headley being our best player. Just need to make moves on the margins to give ourselves our best shot to capitalize on this window
Preller has not gotten an extension to his contract that is up after next season. He needs to deliver this year. He will strip the farm team (again) if he needs to get to deep in the postseason as his job may be riding on it. It doesn’t help that he just had probably the ugliest draft in his time with the club. But that is a problem maybe for the next guy. But trust me, no one is untouchable this season.
Impossible to know the success of the draft the day after the draft.
He will not trade DeVries. The padres don’t need to acquire a star to upgrade their two biggest needs. Zero signs preller’s job is on the line.
Man, I love getting the upside of Kruz Schoolcraft with the 25th pick. Much more so than taking Ryan Weathers with the 7th overall pick in 2018.
Weathers has actually been excellent with the Marlins though, at least when he’s been healthy.
He’s rarely healthy.
Two options I see. That doesn’t mean they are possible.
Trade for Ward of the Angels and Lee from the White Sox.
Use a 3-man platoon of Sheets, Campusano, and Ward at DH and LF.
DFA Maldonado and Brooks.
A longer-term fix is to trade for Westburg from the Orioles and Lee from the White Sox.
DFA Maldonado and Iglesias.
Campusano needs to play consistently either at backup catcher or DH. 18 AB in 6 weeks like the last time he was called up won’t help him or the team. Play him daily or trade him. He has nothing to prove in AAA.
I don’t see the Orioles trading Westburg for anything the Padres would be willing to offer.
They are either going to play him F/T or trade him.
Unless we fall out in the next couple of weeks I don’t see Arte allowing Perry to trade any of the regulars.
If we do, which is not out of the question, what do you see the Padres sending for Ward?
OILF, you probably wouldn’t like the return, but Ward has not been very good this season and his $7.825 million salary in his 2nd to last season of arbitration is a lot of money for a guy with a 108 OPS+ and who is on pace for 1.6-1.7 WAR
Why DFA Jose. He is an upgrade at 2 positions when on the field and not much of a drop at 3b – only being because Manny is sooo good. His offense was really good for 6-8 weeks and even though declining as season goes on, has had some key hits and AB’s leading to wins.
A cheap multi positional player at that level is always useful when injuries or time off are needed/
There are other options to DFA. The way Maldy had dropped off behind the plate (the only reason he has the job is glove), I’d go with Campy as backup.
If the Padres get Westburg, Iglesias is expendable. His .557 OPS, 58 OPS+, and -0.5 WAR are not as good as Wade’s numbers and with Westburg on the team neither would play much. Keep Wade who is also a better defensive player and more versatile.
As long as Campusano is playing nearly every day, whether he is at catcher or DH is fine. He just needs to bat consistently. He won’t hit if he is getting 3 AB per week like his last stretch in SD.
No way DFA Iglesias, probably should be starting with his slick fielding and clutch hitting Brooks, Johnson, and Wade sure. Compusano has proven he can’t catch time to move him.
Iglesias is terrible. His defense has been barely passable, and his hitting is simply awful. If the Padres traded for Westburg, either Iglesias is included or he is DFA to make room.
Trade For Bader or Laureano.
Trade for Murphy, Henry Davis, or Joey Bart.
Trade away Cease for MLB ready prospects at positions of need.
Trade for Heaney, Springs, or Weathers
Yes on Bader
No on Murphys contract. No on Bart or Davis. Nick Fortes of the marlins would be a better option
No on trading cease you don’t subtract from your sp depth in middle of a playoff run
No on Heaney Springs Weathers. Tyler Anderson should be the target
Murphy’s contract is a good deal for a catcher of his quality. And you’re not getting him.
Exactly. No on Murphys contract. The price to acquire him would start with Salas or DeVries. Automatically eliminates the Padres as an option. Nick Fortes doesn’t begin with Salas or DeVries
No on Bader
AJ Escarra, Stanton (45m), and Stroman for Jake Cronenworth (60m) and Cease.
Helps the Padres this year and saves them money. Opens up roster spots for Yanks and Cease even though he’s been really bad is an upgrade over Stroman a ground ball pitcher who might benefit pitching in San Diego.
No. Lmao
Cronenworth is playing excellent at 2B
112 OPS+
On pace for 2.5-3 WAR
Zero reason to trade your starting 2B and 60 mill.
Padres aren’t trading from their SP during a playoff chase either. So Cease is off the table.
Horrible trade idea.
Escarra and Grisham are probably the only targets padres would have interest in. Neither warrant Cease or Cronenworth. At best you get back some mid prospects.
That’s an awful offer. 😂😂
A contract year hitter that posted 81,84,91 OPS+ last 3 years and having a good season before free agency who you can’t QO if you trade for him and a 30 year old backup catcher batting 87 OPS+ and 3.7 def isn’t worth all that much.
Stanton has no trade contract. Why would he give up his role in NY and the opportunity to add to his Yankee playoff stats to become a Padre? IMO, Yankees would be more likely to open up a roster spot by trading Goldy.
Yankees can’t trade starting pitching – even Stroman. His need was just demonstrated and almost half the season has to be played.
Cease is a replacement of Roman, yes they both need really bad but Cease has better track record. Both in last year of contracts. Cronenworth might be able to hold down third base also and is an average hitter which is better than what they have. I think the trade helps both teams. Escarra is a solid defensive catcher who makes contact at the plate which San Diego needs.
No edit buttons….
Stroman not Roman
Sweet Moses… we can get Stroman AND Stanton back in the same trade plus a highly coveted 30 year old rookie catcher?!?
/s
Absolutely! And NY will kick in cash.
/s
I’d kick the tires and see if the CWS are willing to package some players for a couple prospects that are outside of the top 20 in the system. Korey Lee great defensively with some upside offensively would be able to take the wear and tear of Moldonaldo. Houser would be starter depth down the stretch. Wilson would be a pen arm that has good history and Robert if they picked up some salary would be a gold glove OF at worse and maybe a high ceiling if Shildt and a change of scenery gets him going. Out of all of these your not locked in long term and the cost should not prohibitive.
Small sample size, but James McCann has done well on both sides of the plate this year with AAA Gwinett and the Dbacks. He may be available when Moreno returns and I doubt the Dbacks would be concerned trading a backup catcher to a division rival.
I’ve notice McCann also. Assuming the Dbacks are sellers ( not sure they will be) trading a rental or or aged vet of relative non-significance to a division rival might be considered a win. But I’m guessing most Padres fans won’t see McCann as the upgrade at C that they were hoping for.
Adding a C at deadline for an otherwise strong pitching staff that has not indicated a problem with the Cs has to be cautiously done.
I’d probably accept continued staff management with current staff and we add a DH / LF and hope Cro, Bog and Merrill rebound to their averages.
Hey LT. And there really isn’t an affordable C out there anyway that would give us a meaningful upgrade. I agree that a RH bat with some pop is the top priority. Even if just a DH.
Bogey has been the best hitter on the team over the last 5 weeks (360 BA and .960 OPS) so his rebound has already happened.
Yes I’ll give Bog his due for improvement but still need some HR’s out of him.
He’s probably never going to hit 20+ HRs again. But I’ll take those recent stats
Agreed but would hope for 17-18 ish for rest of contract but, no that isn’t happening. Even those happy with the signing for what and why it happened realized the last 2-4 years would he bad.
I’ve thought 1b is in his future but not sure who plays SS in 2026 (hoping DeVries in 2027).
Maybe HSK opts out and SD brings him back on 1 year deal!
What are the pitchers suppose to say about the current catchers?
“THESE GUYS SUCK!”
Yeah no. The pitchers not saying anything about their teammates and battery mates isn’t an indication of anything.
And what you add to the conversation is even less!
You seriously think padres pitchers or any pitchers are gonna openly complain about their teammates performance especially their catchers? Lmao no. Cause that just causes issues in the locker room when guys start pointing fingers. Unless you’re a head case Rocker Bauer pitchers aren’t gonna say bad things about their teammates. You’ve never been in a locker room have you or played any type of professional sport.
In recent memory, it was known that certain pitchers didn’t want to pitch to Campy thus, they always got Higgy. Snell his first season is an example of this. In his last season he was also very vocal about how much Campy had improved.
So yes, there are such things.
You can’t even get the story right.
Preferring other catchers doesn’t mean they dislike or don’t want Campusano. Maldanado has been around a long time and worked with some great pitchers. Course guys would prefer working with an experienced option like that who’s calling card is defense and game calling. There’s a reason he’s still around at what 37.
Does the fact Yu Darvish brought over Victor Caratini to be his personal catcher mean he dislikes or hated the padres options? According to you yes. According to reality no. Darvish felt more comfortable working with Caratini
Pitchers choosing who they’re comfortable with doesn’t mean they dislike other guys. I’m sure there’s guys you like at work but that doesn’t mean you dislike or have issues with everyone else at the company. Same applies to baseball.
Now imagine them working with an actual quality catcher instead of the bargain bin options we’ve been given this year.
2-4 is hopeful. He is 33 with 8 years still to go. Such a long time.
That would be a great add if he did. Would his agent telling him that there is a deal of something like 6/90 be enough to entice HSK to opt out after this season?
Anyone think management will offer Cease a qualifying offer after the season?
Yes. Unless an injury occurs there is no chance he passes on a 4-5 year deal for just 21 mil. Chance of long term career ending injury just too high.
Will the pitcher that leads MLB in starts and strikeouts since 2020 be issued a qualifying offer??
In a world where washed SP’s get 15m/yr that’s about as big of a no brainer as you’ll find.
It would be great for SD to have him back for 1/21m.
Absolutely. Cease has a 3.69 FIP and is near the top in K% and K/BB%. He will get much, much more than $21 million AAV on a long-term deal in FA.
I seriously doubt Baltimore has any interest in trading away Rutschman, a beloved Face of the Franchise with years of control remaining, despite his statistical falloff over the past year.
SS Devries and C Ethan Salas should remain untouchable in trades.
Padres loads of talent at the lower levels have of the minors includes 3-4 top young starting pitchers such as Boston Bateman, Cash Mayfield, Humberto Cruz and much more.
Padres could make a bid to the Cubs for one of their young OFs like Caisus.
Or Padres could bid for OF Cedric Mullins from Orioles as a rental for less returns.
Or Padres could offer for Duran from Red Sox who are short on quality, young pitching.
And, White Sox have surplus of catchers Kory Lee?.
Braves would love some of that young pitching for catcher Murphy.
So many great options without trading DeVries and/or Salas.
AJ Preller will pull a few rabbits put of his hat for the Padres by the trade deadline you can count in it.
Salas is Hedges 2.0 only Venezuelan.
Time to trade off all of that overpriced no yield roster
Trade AJ Preller