Padres rumors we’re tracking ahead of the 2022 MLB trade deadline (Aug 2 update)

The San Diego Padres have been in the middle of several intriguing trade conversations this season, some including superstar players.

The Padres have yet to make any trades in 2022, but if they lock down any of their reported targets, fans may see a new level of talent in San Diego.

One area to watch: The Padres have needed some help in the outfield and several players they’ve been linked to play there.

The deadline is set for 6 p.m. ET on Aug. 2.

2022 Padres rumors we’re tracking ahead of the MLB trade deadline:

1B Josh Bell

Last update: August 2

According to Barry Svrluga, the Padres are a potential landing spot for Washington Nationals first baseman Josh Bell.

Bell would be a good addition to San Diego, and they could use an upgrade at first base. Bell is hitting .301/.384/.493 for an OPS of .877 this season.

SP Shohei Ohtani

Last update: July 28

According to Ken Rosenthal at The Athletic, Padres general manager A.J. Preller has checked in on Los Angeles Angels pitcher Shohei Ohtani.

Ohtani would be one of the best possible additions to San Diego. The future of the starting rotation is unpredictable with MacKenzie Gore on the injured list, Sean Manaea and Blake Snell being unreliable and Mike Clevinger and Joe Musgrove approaching free agency eligibility.

Ohtani is also a great hitter. He’s a regular designated hitter and would bring power that lacks in San Diego. On the mound, he’s produced an earned-run average of 2.80, batting average against of .202 and WHIP of 1.00. He’s also currently hitting .257/.352/.492 for an OPS of .844.

Ohtani has several awards and is the defending AL MVP.

SP Frankie Montas

Last update: August 1

Frankie Montas was traded to the New York Yankees on Monday night.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic also suggested that Preller has checked in on Oakland Athletics pitcher Frankie Montas.

Montas would be a great addition to San Diego. This season, he’s produced an ERA of 3.18, BAA of .231 and WHIP of 1.13. He’d be among some of the best pitchers in San Diego.

According to Jeff Passan at ESPN, Montas is a trade target among several teams, including the St. Louis Cardinals, Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays.

OF Ian Happ

Last update: July 23

The Padres are reportedly trying to land multiple players from the Chicago Cubs. The most recent trade rumor to arise is outfielder Ian Happ, according to Dennis Lin at The Athletic.

"“According to sources, the Padres have discussed the idea of adding both of the Cubs’ All-Stars — catcher Willson Contreras and outfielder Ian Happ — to their lineup.” -Dennis Lin, via The Athletic"

Happ would be a good addition to the outfield in San Diego. This season, he’s hitting .279/.366/.441 for an OPS of .807. He has a FanGraphs WAR of 2.2.

OF Juan Soto

Last update: August 2

One of the most popular trade conversations involves Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto. Soto recently turned down a 15-year $440 million extension from the Nationals and likely wants to explore free agency in 2025 when he’s eligible.

According to Jim Bowden with CBS Sports, a potential deal with Soto would be centered around C.J Abrams, Robert Hassell III, Adrian Morejon and at least two others.

According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Padres are the third-most likely team to land Soto (via the New York Post).

"“GM A.J. Preller nearly signed Soto as an amateur and surely would like another crack at him. While they are reluctant to trade Fernando Tatis, they do have a few top prospects. But there is one big issue. ‘They don’t have the money,’ one rival exec said. Of course, nobody thought they had the money for Manny Machado, or before that even Eric Hosmer. Give them credit for amazing effort.”"

Soto is hitting .250/.405/.497 for an OPS of .902 and has a WAR of 2.6 this season. He also won the 2022 Home Run Derby.

LF Andrew Benintendi

Last update: July 27

Andrew Benintendi was traded to the New York Yankees on Wednesday night.

Kansas City Royals left fielder Andrew Benintendi has reportedly been the target of a few different teams. However, some teams are losing interest in him because of his vaccination status. According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, the New York Yankees are no longer interested in him.

It’s unclear how the Padres feel about Benintendi’s status, so he could still possibly end up in San Diego.

Benintendi is hitting .317/.386/.401 for an OPS of .787 this season and has a WAR of 1.9.

Catcher Willson Contreras

Last update: July 12

Willson Contreras has played every season of his career with the Chicago Cubs, but he seems likely to be traded away this season and several teams are reportedly interested (via FanSided MLB insider Robert Murray).

Contreras is worth $9.625 million this season and is currently finishing out a one-year contract before hitting free agency eligibility in 2023.

He’s is hitting .253/.366/.455 for an OPS of .821 this season. He also has a WAR of 2.4.

SP Luis Castillo

Last update: July 30

Luis Castillo was traded to the Seattle Mariners on Saturday night.

Heyman reported Cincinnati Reds pitcher Luis Castillo as another trade target for the Padres. He’s also reportedly being looked at by the Minnesota Twins and New York Mets.

Castillo is producing an ERA of 2.77, BAA of .199 and WHIP of 1.08 this season. He has a WAR of 2.1.

He’s currently under contract for $7.35 million and is eligible for free agency in 2024.

LF Joey Gallo

Last update: June 23

Joey Gallo was traded last season to the New York Yankees from the Texas Rangers. According to Murray, the Padres are targeting him this season.

Gallo was a target for San Diego in 2020 and 2021 as well, but the Yankees landed him instead.

He’s not hitting well this season. He’s hitting .164/.288/.342 for an OPS of .630 and has a WAR of 0.1. He’s been more successful in the past, but with his lack of success this season, it’s hard to tell where he may end up.

Utility player Chad Pinder

Last update: May 31

Chad Pinder has played for the Oakland Athletics since the beginning of his MLB career in 2016. He came up in Padres trade talk earlier in the season, but it’s unclear whether he’ll actually be traded. He plays outfield and both second and third base, so he’d be a good versatile player.

Pinder has also been under Bob Melvin’s management before, so the prior relationship would make a transition easy for Pinder and a decision easy for Melvin.

Pinder is hitting .241/.267/.394 for an OPS of .661 and has a WAR of 0.2.