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.

Padres trade target — Chicago Cubs: Ian Happ

Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ has come up recently in trade discussions alongside teammate Willson Contreras. He’d be one of the best options for the Padres and, according to Dennis Lin of The Athletic, San Diego will likely try to acquire catcher Willson Contreras at the same time.

According to Jeff Passan at ESPN, Happ will likely be traded this week and the Padres have a realistic chance of landing him.

If Happ ends up in San Diego, he’d help enhance outfielder performance in the lineup. This season, Happ is hitting .282/.366/.446 for an OPS of .812. He hits with slightly more power than Profar and would be the best outfield hitter on the Padres.

The Padres would benefit from landing Happ alone, but if they can land Contreras too, they’d have major improvements in their lineup.

Padres trade target — Baltimore Orioles: Trey Mancini

The Baltimore Orioles may not be ready to be sellers quite yet, but if they are Trey Mancini would be the name to target. He plays both outfield and first base, which would make him a great trade option. The Padres have had trouble with current first baseman Eric Hosmer, so Mancini could be useful in multiple ways.

Mancini is hitting .268/.345/.401 for an OPS of .746 this season. Though he’s not the most powerful hitter, he has a good eye and compares well to Profar.

Mancini is hitting better than Hosmer, who is hitting .277/.339/.391 for an OPS of .730 this season. Hosmer is difficult to replace considering many teams aren’t interested in him, so upgrading two positions with one player would be good strategy.

Padres trade target — Baltimore Orioles: Anthony Santander

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Anthony Santander is a decent hitter that could meet San Diego’s demands for the outfield. Santander is also a switch-hitter. This season, he’s hitting .243/.328/.431 for an OPS of .759.

Santander would have the second-best isolated power (.189) among all Padres players, which is an area manager Bob Melvin is looking to improve.

According to MLB Trade Rumors, “The O’s aren’t likely to see him as an untouchable member of the long-term core, but he’s an above-average hitter controllable for the next two and a half seasons.”

Santander would be one of the best options for the outfield, and the Padres should aim to trade for him.