Padres Trade Again, Acquire Ryan O'Hearn and Ramon Laureano From Orioles

Jeff Passan of ESPN is reporting the Padres are doing it again, as they acquire Ryan O'Hearn and Ramon Laureano from the Baltimore Orioles.

The full trade includes Laureano and O'Hearn heading to San Diego in exchange for Boston Bateman, Cobb Hightower, Victor Figueroa, Tyson Neighbors, Tanner Smith, and Brandon Butterworth.

You may think O'Hearn is the major piece of this return, but Laureano has actually been the better player this season. In 290 plate appearances with the Orioles this year, he has a .290/.355/.529 slash line to go along with 15 home runs and a 144 wRC+. He's whiffing (27.5%) and striking out (24.8%) at alarming rates, though when he does make contact, it's been good. His hard-hit rate (48.9%), barrel rate (12.6%), and expected slugging percentage (.531) all rank in the top quartile of qualified MLB bats. Once a sterling defender, Laureano isn't quite the glove he once was (-4 Outs Above Average), though his arm strength remains one of his best skills. He has a $6.5 million club option for 2026 that will likely be exercised at this rate.

As for O'Hearn, the 32-year-old slugger is a rental. He's a first baseman, though he can play the outfield corners in a pinch (which shouldn't be needed too often with Laureano in tow). In 361 plate appearances this season, he's slashing .283/.374/.463 with 13 home runs, good for a 134 wRC+. After the Seattle Mariners' deal for Eugenio Suarez last night, he was the best corner infielder still on the market. He'll likely push Gavin Sheets to a full-time bench role (or off the roster entirely).

Along with the previously-acquired Freddy Fermin, the Padres have completely transformed their offense and lineup at this deadline. They should be considered one of the premier contenders in the National League going into August.

The price to make this happen was steep, as six prospects are heading back to Baltimore. Bateman and Hightower are the headliners, ranking fourth and sixth, respectively on the Padres' top-ten list after the earlier trades that gutted the farm system. This trade further decimates a now-razor thin minor league corps, and it's clear the Padres are all-in on 2025.