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?
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!
The San Diego Padres injury woes continued in Sunday after their primary designated hitter, Gavin Sheets, crashed into the left field wall in Sunday's 6-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Sheets, who has an .817 OPS and 11 home runs on the year, has arguably been the Padres most reliable hitter this season. It's unclear how long he may be sidelined, but even a short stint will be magnified.
Early Monday morning, Dennis Lin of the Athletic reported that the Padres are (once again) targeting Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran, though Lin also pointed out that a need to bolster their starting rotation was "equally as acute" as their need for a left fielder.
Duran, 29, is carrying a .718 OPS with four home runs and 13 stolen bases with solid strikeout and walk rates in 282 plate appearances this season. His 2026 club option would be voided, though Duran does have two arbitration years remaining.
What do you think the asking price is for the budding superstar? Do the Padres have enough capital to make the move? Should they? Join the conversation in the comments!
Dennis Lin and Ken Rosenthal are reporting that the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks are discussing playing Mexico City in 2026. The two teams were set to participate in the Mexico Series in 2020 but was ultimately cancelled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The report comes on the heels of various international events being cancelled for 2025 due to economic reasons. While the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs opened their seasons in Tokyo, the 2022 CBA had also permitted games to be played in Mexico City, San Juan, and Paris.
In past seasons, Mexico City has been the host to two regular season series, including one between the Padres and San Francisco Giants in 2023. Last season, the Boston Red Sox and Colorado Rockies played in the same location.
Did you attend the series in 2023? Will you attend the series in 2026? Let us know your thoughts or experience in the comments!
Good morning, San Diego! On Wednesday, Robert Murray of FanSided reported that Jackson Merrill has will be sticking around for a while, agreeing to a nine-year, $135 million contract extension. Locking the young star up is a huge move, and we'll have more details as soon as they're available.