As we inch closer to the August 3 trade deadline, the San Diego Padres are definitely a team to keep an eye on. Known for their willingness to shake things up, the Padres have a history of making bold moves when the clock is ticking.
With A.J. Preller at the helm, you can bet they’re not shy about pulling the trigger on a blockbuster deal.
This season, the Padres have two main objectives: bolster their offensive lineup and shore up their starting rotation. However, with some pitchers expected to return from the injured list soon, the focus might lean more towards enhancing their offensive firepower.
The stats tell a concerning story. Heading into Sunday’s game, the Padres were sitting at the bottom of the MLB rankings in team batting average (.221) and OPS (.663), and they weren’t faring much better in slugging percentage, where they were second-to-last at .366.
For a team with World Series dreams, these numbers just won't cut it. The trade deadline offers a golden opportunity for Preller to revamp the roster and inject some much-needed life into the lineup.
One potential target for the Padres is Taylor Ward, the veteran outfielder currently with the Baltimore Orioles. MLB insiders Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan have floated the idea of Ward landing in San Diego, giving him a 75% chance of being traded before the deadline.
Ward's performance this year has been solid, even if it's a slight dip from his breakout 2025 season. He's hitting .256 with five home runs and 22 RBIs, maintaining an OPS of .749. While his power numbers have taken a bit of a hit compared to last year’s .228 average with 36 homers and 103 RBIs, his underlying metrics remain strong.
Ward ranks in the 74th percentile for xwOBA and boasts a 100th percentile chase rate, showcasing his elite plate discipline. This kind of player could be exactly what the Padres need to spark their offense. Plus, with Ward set to become a free agent at the end of the season, the Padres wouldn’t be locked into a long-term commitment.
Bringing Ward into the fold could add some much-needed pop to the Padres' lineup, making it deeper and more formidable. Given his contract situation and the fact that he's having a slightly down year, the cost to acquire Ward might not break the bank. For the Padres, this could be a prime opportunity to strengthen their roster for the stretch run.
In Other News...
Padres Are Trusting Jake Cronenworth Again In A Spot Fans Fear
Jake Cronenworth is back on the active roster after a short rehab assignment, and the Padres are clearly leaning on the familiarity and steadying influence he has brought them before. San Diego activated the veteran infielder on June 29 while also recalling Bradgley Rodriguez, part of a flurry of moves that signaled a roster trying to balance immediate needs with longer-term health and depth.
Cronenworth did show some positive signs in rehab, and the Padres are banking on that momentum carrying over as he re-enters a lineup that has needed more reliable production from the infield. The corresponding shuffle sent Will Wagner back to Triple-A El Paso for continued development, while David Morgan landed on the 15-day injured list with left knee inflammation, leaving San Diego to sort through both the present and the next wave of options. [Read more 🡒]
Padres Bring Back A Veteran Bat As Bench Frustration Grows
Nick Solak is back in the Padres organization after a brief trip onto the free agent market, giving San Diego another experienced name to lean on as it tries to shore up its bench. The 31-year-old was outrighted by the club, but his return keeps a right-handed bat in the system that the Padres believe can provide useful depth if they need help at the big league level.
Solaks case has been built more on what he did in Triple-A than on any extended major league run. He hit .333 with a .412 on-base percentage, nine home runs, 40 RBIs and a .924 OPS there, production that at least gives San Diego something to point to if it keeps searching for steadier bench answers. The remaining question is how much of that form can actually translate into meaningful opportunities in a crowded Padres mix. [Read more 🡒]
Craig Stammen Just Drew A Line For Padres Starters
The Padres have spent too many recent nights asking the bullpen to clean up after the rotation, with starters not lasting long enough to keep games from tilting early. Craig Stammen didnt dress it up, either, acknowledging the need for the group to pitch deeper and at least leaving open the possibility that the club could keep leaning on creative fixes while it waits for healthier arms to rejoin the mix.
There is still a path to relief in the second half, with several starters expected back from injury and the front office likely to look for help before the trade deadline. Until then, the pressure on the current group is obvious: San Diego needs more stability from the front of games, because the alternatives can only patch over so much. [Read more 🡒]