5 outfield trade targets for the Padres with Andrew Benintendi off the market

The San Diego Padres were reportedly looking into trading for Kansas City Royals outfielder Andrew Benintendi (credit to the East Village Times). However, the New York Yankees just signed Benintendi and took him off the market.

The Padres have been looking to upgrade their outfield, and luckily, they have other available targets that could help fulfill their needs in the lineup.

The Padres should aim to trade for these five targets before the deadline.

Padres trade target — Washington Nationals: Juan Soto

Several teams are after Washington Nationals star Juan Soto, but several believe the Padres have a good chance at acquiring him.

Soto is an extremely valuable asset. The Nationals are making it difficult to acquire him after he turned down their 15-year $440 million extension offer. They aren’t likely to trade him unless presented with a great trade package.

San Diego is capable of creating an enticing trade package without having to trade away their sluggers Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado.

For prospects, the Padres should include Robert Hassell III, Luis Campusano and Eguy Rosario. For current roster players, MacKenzie Gore, C.J. Abrams and Mike Clevinger could be included. The Nationals desperately need to improve their pitching, and they’d also need to replace the power in the lineup Soto brings.

Soto would bring power to the lineup in San Diego that is hard to find. He’s currently having his worst season, which is still better than most. He’s hitting .243/.400/.480 for an OPS of .880. He also won the 2022 Home Run Derby.