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3 ways the Padres can lose the MLB trade deadline

By Rylie Smith |
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 19: Joe Musgrove #44 of the San Diego Padres pitches during the third inning at the 92nd All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at Dodger Stadium on July 19, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 19: Joe Musgrove #44 of the San Diego Padres pitches during the third inning at the 92nd All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at Dodger Stadium on July 19, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images)
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The San Diego Padres are connected to several trade rumors that could help bolster their inconsistent offense, but focusing too much on one area of improvement may do the team more harm than good.

The Padres are seemingly focusing most heavily on improving the outfield, which is important but won’t single-handedly fix the team’s issues. They should focus on improving other positions, as well as put less focus on others.

If San Diego makes these mistakes, they won’t benefit the way they should at the trade deadline.

Padres not trading for another catcher

The Padres current catchers aren’t doing well in the lineup. Jorge Alfaro hits with decent power, but he doesn’t have a good eye. He has the team’s second-worst walk percentage (4.7) and worst strikeout percentage (33.6).

Austin Nola strikes out much less than Alfaro and gets walked slightly more often, but he hits with the least amount of power on the team. The lineup could undoubtedly use some upgrades from catchers.

San Diego has been tied to trade rumors involving Willson Contreras, which suggests they may be considering adding another catcher to the team.

However, Contreras is popular on the trade market and isn’t guaranteed to end up in San Diego. If the Padres don’t land him, they shouldn’t give up on looking for catchers. If they don’t prioritize upgrading the position that brings some of the worst results to the lineup, they may not benefit from the trade the way they should.

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JULY 27: Shohei Ohtani #17 of Japan of the Los Angeles Angels breaks for second during the 3rd inning of the game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on July 27, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JULY 27: Shohei Ohtani #17 of Japan of the Los Angeles Angels breaks for second during the 3rd inning of the game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on July 27, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Padres prioritizing adding pitchers to the roster

The Padres are doing great with their current roster of pitchers, which has led to a big portion of the team’s overall success this season. Though there is room for improvement, their starting rotation shouldn’t be focused on too much just yet.

The Padres were recently linked to Shohei Ohtani rumors (credit to The Athletic), which would be a beneficial trade. Ohtani is the defending AL MVP and is often utilized as a designated hitter, which is unique since most pitchers don’t hit at all. He’d provide more of what the team needs, but most pitchers wouldn’t.

The Padres have also been tied to Luis Castillo and Frankie Montas (credit to ESPN) who would help the team long-term but, overall, wouldn’t be the most important players to join the team.

As of right now, Yu Darvish is reliable enough and under team control until 2024. Joe Musgrove is eligible for free agency in 2023, but according to R.J. Anderson with CBS, Musgrove and the Padres are optimistic about reaching an extension agreement.

Mike Clevinger also hits free agency eligibility in 2023, and his future in San Diego is unclear. Musgrove and Darvish, however, have enough talent to continue success (anticipating an extension for Musgrove).

The Padres could undoubtedly benefit from adding another pitcher, but unless it’s Ohtani, it shouldn’t be among their top priorities.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 16: Joey Gallo #13 of the New York Yankees swings at a pitch during the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium on June 16, 2022 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 16: Joey Gallo #13 of the New York Yankees swings at a pitch during the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium on June 16, 2022 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

Padres trading for New York Yankees LF Joey Gallo

New York Yankees left fielder Joey Gallo is inconsistently talented, and he’s had one of the worst seasons of his career this season this season. He’s hitting .159/.282/.339 for an OPS of .621.

During Gallo’s best season in 2019, he hit .253/.389/.598 for an OPS .987, but he hasn’t been able to reproduce that. Each season has seemed to be unpredictable.

The Padres could land someone more reliable than Gallo with the amount of top prospects they have in their farm system. Though Gallo may be an easy trade that wouldn’t require much, they have potential for better outfielders that’ll more than likely guarantee more success in San Diego.

Gallo, however, reportedly wants to be traded to the Padres and is seemingly disappointed in himself from his time with the Yankees, according to NJ.com.

dark. Next. Padres rumors we’re tracking ahead of the 2022 MLB trade deadline

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