3 ways the Padres can lose the MLB trade deadline

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.

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.