Preller: San Diego Padres Hope To Add “A Bat or Two” And Possibly “Strength” In The Bullpen At Deadline

[Matthew Lenz]

Despite questions surrounding the San Diego Padres ownership group and their willingness to increase payroll, we got some clarification on what the team hopes to accomplish at the upcoming trade deadline.\

Over the weekend, San Diego Padres President of Baseball Operations A.J. Preller joined MLB Network Radio stating that the Padres hope to add “a bat or two” and possibly “strength” in the bullpen.

The Padres rank in the bottom half of baseball in most offensive categories and could use help at multiple positions around the diamond. Moreover, the lineup is relatively healthy and they don't have strong reinforcements ready for a call up on their Triple-A El Paso roster.

It's interesting he's targeting a bullpen piece as they are currently one of the strongest units in baseball. However, relievers production can be hard to predict and fluctuate and, as the old adage goes, you can never have enough pitching. While they have a stronger need for a rotation arm, that market is going to be thin likely driving up the cost of impact arms. The Padres may not be willing or even have the farm system to pay up for a starting pitcher. This is also a position group that hopes to be bolstered by reinforcements returning from injury, such as Yu Darvish who is scheduled to make his season debut on Tuesday.

Who do you think the Padres should target at the deadline? Let us know in the comments!

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