Matthew Lenz

It has been speculated that the San Diego Padres could be both buyers and sellers over the next week. Most notably, the team is reportedly open to moving rotation ace Dylan Cease, though they're also looking to add to the rotation, whether they deal Cease or not. Moreover, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic is reporting that teams are interested in San Diego Padres' pitchers Stephen Kolek, Ryan Bergert, Henry Baez, and Braden Nett. Kolek, who transitioned into a starting role after being primarily a reliever in 2024, has a 4.28 ERA across 13 starts with the Friars. Kolek's strikeout rate (K%) sits at 17.3%, and his walk rate (BB%) is 7.4%, resulting in a lowly K-BB% of 9.9%. While he has shown flashes of potential, including one complete game shutout, he's allowed at least three runs in five of his last six starts. He is controllable through 2029, which is a significant advantage for any team acquiring the right-handed pitcher. Bergert has had an intriguing season for the San Diego Padres, making six starts and 10 total appearances. He holds a respectable 2.84 ERA, though his FIP sits significantly higher at 4.26, suggesting that he might have benefited from some good fortune on balls in play. Bergert has recorded a solid K% of 23.1% but a below-average BB% of 10.8%. He was optioned to Triple-A El Paso in July, but like Kolek, he is controllable for many years. Baez and Nett are both succeeding in the Double-A San Antonio starting rotation. Baez is already on the 40-man roster, while Nett would need to be protected this winter. Should the Padres deal any of these arms? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

After getting shot down by the Boston Red Sox (again) in their pursuit of Jarren Duran, the San Diego Padres are shifting their sights to other outfielder upgrades. Jon Heyman of the New York Post is reporting that the San Diego Padres are interested in outfielders Luis Robert Jr. and Ramon Laureano. The oft-injured Robert Jr. has stayed relatively healthy, playing in 84 games for the Chicago White Sox. He currently holds an OPS of .636 with 10 home runs, 37 runs scored, and 41 runs batted in. Additionally, he leads the league with 26 stolen bases. He is controllable through 2027 via club options over the next two seasons. Laureano has experienced a resurgence of sorts after years of dealing with injuries. With the Baltimore Orioles, he has an impressive .861 OPS with 14 home runs and four stolen bases. Defensively, he has been a valuable asset in the corner outfield, accumulating 3 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) with a plus arm. He will be a free agent at season's end. Would you rather the Padres acquire Robert Jr or Laureano? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

One way or another, and whether it be at this trade deadline or sometime down the road, the San Diego Padres seem adamant to pry Jarren Duran away from the Boston Red Sox. Earlier today, Sean McAdam of MassLive provided yet another update between the two clubs. The Padres offered the Red Sox a package including SP Dylan Cease, C Ethan Salas, and another prospect (not top prospect Leo de Vries) in exchange for Duran, which was “quickly rejected.” McAdams later adds that while it's likely Duran is eventually traded, it's "unlikely" to happen this summer. Are you surprised the Red Sox did not take that offer? Are you open to the idea of the Padres offering more for Duran?Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

The San Diego Padres, who have been rumored to be listening to offers onDylan Cease, may be looking to "replace" the rotation ace with another high-caliber pitcher from the Miami Marlins. Dennis Lin of The Athletic is reporting that the Padres have expressed interest in Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara. Alcantara's 2025 season has been a challenging one as he continues his return from Tommy John surgery. Through 20 starts and 104 innings pitched, Alcantara has a high 6.66 ERA, which is two runs higher than his FIP, suggesting he's been particularly unlucky with balls in play or hasn't received strong defensive support. His strikeout rate (K%) is down to 16.7%, and his walk rate (BB%) is up to 8.9%, leading to an abysmal K-BB% of 7.8%. While there have been a few promising starts, he has largely struggled to find the consistency that made him a Cy Young winner. He is controllable through next season with a $17.3 million salary. Out of all the pitchers that the Padres have been tied to, where does Sandy Alcantara fall on your list? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

To this point, rumors have been swirling about the San Diego Padres interest in bolstering up their rotation, bullpen, and adding a catcher at the deadline. Now, we can add another position to the rumor mill. Jon Heyman of the New York Post is reporting that the "...Padres are among many teams interested in [Steve] Kwan." Steven Kwan, controllable through 2027 via arbitration, has been a productive leadoff hitter and a Gold Glove-caliber defender for the Guardians in 2025. Through 94 games, he boasts an OPS of .741 with six home runs, 44 runs scored, and 32 runs batted in. On the basepaths, Kwan has been effective, stealing 11 bases. His defense remains a highlight, as he currently has 13 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS), once again solidifying his status as one of the premier defensive outfielders in baseball. Given his production, controllability, and "many" suitors, he will be an expensive asset to acquire at the deadline. Do you think the San Diego Padres should acquire Stephan Kwan? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

Shortly after reporting that the Padres could move Dylan Cease, Buster Olney of ESPN is also reporting who a potential "replacement" may be in the rotation. According to Olney, the San Diego Padres have discussed a potential trade with the Baltimore Orioles involving starting pitcher Charlie Morton. Through 21 appearances (15 starts) covering 88.2 innings, Morton holds a 5.58 ERA. Though a FIP of 4.58 indicates he may be due for at least some positive regression. Morton's K% is 22.5% and his BB% is 10.0%, resulting in a low K-BB% of 12.5%. As his appearances suggest, he was moved to the bullpen for a period of time earlier in the season. It's hard to see how the Padres would really see him as a replacement of sorts to Cease. While adding him to the back end of the rotation wouldn't be a bad idea, the difference in the level of production between the two is significant. Should the San Diego Padres acquire Charlie Morton? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

The San Diego Padres plan to be buyers at the deadline in anticipation of a playoff push. Apparently, they may also be sellers. Buster Olney of ESPN is reporting that San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dylan Cease is available at the trade deadline. Across 20 starts and 108.2 innings pitched, Cease's. ERA currently stands at 4.64, which is more than a full run higher than his FIP, suggesting he's experienced some bad luck or been hurt by his defense. Cease continues to be a high-strikeout pitcher, with a K% of 30.0% and a BB% of 8.4%, translating to an impressive K-BB% of 21.6%. He will be a free agent at season's end with incredible upside despite his under-performing surface stats. Cease is the type of player that the Padres could sell while still buying to fill other positions of need, such as catcher. Do you think the Padres should trade Dylan Cease? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

We can add on more name to the long list of players the San Diego Padres are kicking the tires one. Dennis Lin of The Athletic is reporting that "[Chicago White Sox catcher, Korey] Lee has drawn trade interest from the Padres". Lee, 27, 2025 season has been split between Triple-A Charlotte and the Chicago White Sox. In his limited MLB action this year (14 games, 28 at-bats), Lee is batting .250 with a .300 OBP and .357 SLG, contributing one RBI and no home runs. While these numbers represent an improvement over his previous major league campaigns, he was optioned back to Triple-A Charlotte on June 6th. In Charlotte, he has posted a .262 average with 6 home runs and 18 RBIs in 130 at-bats, showing a little more pop. All of that said, the former organizational top prospects career line of .192/.231/.315 in 521 plate appearances is rather uninspiring. Do you think the Padres should look to acquire Lee or look for a better option? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

Despite uncertainty around their ownership and previous reports that the might not be able to add salary, it appears the San Diego Padres will be aggressive at the deadline. After recently being tied to Sean Murphy of the Atlanta Braves, Sean McAdam of MassLive is reporting that the San Diego Padres have been "relentless in their pursuit of the Boston Red Sox Jarren Duran. Duran, controlled through 2028, has put together a solid 2025 campaign for the Red Sox. In 94 games. He boasts a .752 OPS, supported by a .260 batting average and a .318 on-base percentage, including 8 home runs and 15 stolen bases. It's been a different story on the defensive side of the ball. Primarily playing left field, his defensive metrics show a Fielding Run Value of -5 and Outs Above Average of -5. Regardless, he'll fetch a good return if he is dealt. Should the Padres pay what it will take to land Jarren Duran, if he's available? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

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! View full rumor

Despite being in the thick of a playoff race, San Diego Padres fans are uncertain of the approach the team will take at the upcoming trade deadline. With the office struggling, some start to wonder if Luis arise, who is on an expiring deal, will be traded at the deadline. In a question and answer thread for The Athletic, Dennis Lin said "it doesn't seem likely ". Arraez, in his first full season with the club, is set to be a free agent at seasons end. With a .286 batting average, the former batting champ hasn't been as productive this season. He's been a league average producer, but with almost no power his .717 OPS feels rather empty. In all, he's accrued 0 WAR this season Do you think the Padres should trade the utility infielder turned first baseman? View full rumor

The Atlanta Braves are potential sellers at the upcoming trade deadline, though currently sit just six games back of a spot in the National League Wild Card race. Of the names that could be dealt, Buster Olney of ESPN is reporting that designated hitter Marcell Ozuna "is included in a lot of trade speculation". Though Ozuna has no versatility, the San Diego Padres could benefit from adding Ozuna to their struggling lineup. Currently, first baseman and outfielder Gavin Sheets has been getting the bulk of the reps at DH. He's been very productive at the plate with an .789 OPS and 12 home runs, resulting in a 122 wRC+. While defense has never been a strength, he has the versatility to be removed as the team's primary DH to make room for at-bats from Ozuna. Money and prospect capital could be another hindrance to acquiring Ozuna, who has a 126 wRC+ this season. The Padres currently have questions with their ownership group and it's unclear if they are willing to add money to their payroll. While Ozuna is set to be a free agent at seasons end, he would be owed a prorated amount of his $16 million 2025 salary. Moreover, the Padres have a weak farm system limiting the caliber of player(s) they could add at the upcoming deadline. Do you think the Padres should kick the tires on Ozuna? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor