San Diego Padres: Biggest Needs at Trade Deadline

We take a look at what the biggest needs are for the San Diego Padres as the 2020 MLB trade deadline approaches at the end of the month.

It’s crazy how quickly things can change in a 60-game season. After losing five in a row it looked like the San Diego Padres might be sellers at the trade deadline.

But after two straight wins against the Texas Rangers their now back to being in the playoffs if the season ended today with the fourth-most wins in the National League.

While the going is good, let’s look at what areas need the most improvement for the Padres and where A.J. Preller could be looking to make a trade over the next few weeks.

The biggest area of weakness on this team right now is definitely at catcher.

Austin Hedges and Francisco Mejia have been terrible at the plate in 2020. And now with Mejia injured, it makes even more sense for the Padres to go out and find a catcher.

I think if we see anything happen at the deadline, it will be Preller going out and finding a veteran catcher to help this team down the stretch.

The rest of the lineup is really solid, especially if Tommy Pham can come back healthy and ready to go.

You might consider looking for another outfielder, but I’d almost rather see what Edward Olivares can do out there with regular playing time.

And I think Jake Cronenworth has locked down the second base position, perhaps for years to come.

The starting rotation has been really solid at the top. Maybe you look to add some depth with a back of the rotation guy, but I think the Padres have enough arms that I’d rather see get those innings and opportunities.

Believer it or not, maybe the second biggest area of weakness on this team is the bullpen, which many believed to be the strongest part of this team going into the season.

Kirby Yates struggled out of the gate and is now done for the season. Emilio Pagan has been walking everyone. And Craig Stammen hasn’t been great either.

Drew Pomeranz is the only one that has lived up to the billing, while Matt Strahm has come along nicely.

But to think the Padres have the 26th ranked bullpen ERA in baseball at 6.08 is just crazy.

Maybe Preller makes a small move for a bullpen arm, but I really think you just have to hope the guys they have to turn it around and pitch like they’re capable.

Saying all that, I think the only real need for this team before the trade deadline is catcher. Sure, they could make some other tweaks in certain areas. But the one sure thing they need to improve on his offensive production from the catcher spot.