3 outfielders the Padres could acquire tomorrow to solve their left field problem

There's no question about it....the San Diego Padres have a left field problem. Padres left fielders have a combined wRC+ of 50, which ranks 29th in the league. Their .188 average at left field ranks dead last across MLB, and their left fielders have combined for just four home runs, six doubles, and 18 runs scored. The combination of Jayson Heyward, Brandon Lockridge, Oscar Gonzalez, and Tirso Ornelas has not been working.

While the trade deadline is still two months away, and the Padres likely would not be able to swing a blockbuster trade in early June, they can still temporarily upgrade the position for now, before targeting a better solution in August.

Here are three players the Padres could look to acquire right now if they want to boost their production in left field.

Seth Brown, Athletics

Brown was recently designated for assignment by the Athletics, but he could be a strong candidate to return to the majors in San Diego. The 32-year old hit 14 home runs in each of the past two seasons, and had the second-highest OBP of his career before being re-assigned to Triple-A two weeks ago.

Brown was slashing .212/.328/.308 with the Athletics, which might not feel great, but his .636 OPS is still over a hundred points higher than the Padres abysmal .524 mark at left field this season.

He was also recently named Pacific Coast League Player of the Week after hitting five home runs in his first six games in Triple-A Las Vegas, so there is clearly still juice in the tank for Brown.

Dominic Canzone, Mariners

It might not feel like a flashy move, but Dominic Canzone could be a temporary stop gap for the Padres in left field until they can find a more permanent solution.

Canzone hit .198 in 67 games with the Mariners last year, but still managed a .381 SLG and .271 OBP. He finished the year with an OPS+ of 90, and had 0.3 bWAR. Not incredible, but better than the Padres' current production.

After not making Seattle's roster, instead being passed up in favor of Victor Robles and Leody Taveras, Canzone has been tearing it up in Triple-A Tacoma. He's slashing .303/.365/.581, with 12 home runs and 33 RBI.

3. Esteury Ruiz, Dodgers

The Padres could target a reunion with their former prospect, the speedster Esteury Ruiz. Again, Ruiz is not a long-term fix, but he would probably be able to offer more than the Padres are currently getting in left field as they await a longer-term answer at the position.

Ruiz hit .254 and stole 67 bases for the Athletics in 2023, but struggled in 2024 and was sent down, eventually being traded to the Dodgers. While he has yet to play in the major leagues this season, Ruiz has continued to run the bases well in the minor leagues. He has a .787 OPS and 20 steals in Triple-A Oklahoma City. His speed alone could make him valuable to San Diego, though the Dodgers might be stashing him in Triple-A until the playoffs for the same reason.