Padres could target Pirates with roster sell-off on the horizon

As the MLB trade deadline continues to near, the San Diego Padres appear poised to make a move. The club has been aggressive in recent deadlines, and with needs in the bullpen and outfield, they may have found the perfect partner in the Pittsburgh Pirates — a team once again on the brink of a full-scale roster shakeup.

According to reports from The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and New York Post’s Jon Heyman, the Pirates have declared themselves open for business. Almost their entire major league roster is on the table — except for phenom Paul Skenes and franchise icon Andrew McCutchen. McCutchen, now in the twilight of his career, has made it clear he has no desire to leave Pittsburgh again, and the front office is intent on respecting that.

Pirates’ roster sell-off opens door for Padres upgrade

The list of potential trade candidates includes usual suspects — veterans like lefty Andrew Heaney, utilityman Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and reliever Dennis Santana. But there are also whispers that more controllable core pieces like Mitch Keller and Oneil Cruz could be moved under the right circumstances. Add in All-Star reliever David Bednar and the Pirates’ direction becomes clear: a soft reset around Skenes and not a full-blown rebuild.

That opens a door the Padres would be wise to walk through.

While Padres fans may dream on a name like Cruz, that deal is highly unlikely given the cost — and in his case, the raw tools and team control. Meanwhile, Bryan Reynolds — long a subject of trade speculation — has made it clear he has no interest in playing in San Diego. That essentially narrows the Padres’ realistic targets to the Pirates’ bullpen.

Of the available arms, David Bednar makes the most sense — and is the most appealing. After a rough 2024 campaign in which he posted a 5.77 ERA and blew several high-leverage opportunities, Bednar has bounced back in a major way this season. He owns a 2.70 ERA with 12 saves across 34 appearances and has returned to the All-Star level that made him one of the most reliable closers in the National League just two years ago.

Given his resurgence, Bednar won’t come cheap — but the Pirates aren’t exactly in a position to demand top-tier MLB-ready talent. Their strategy seems more focused on acquiring multiple high-variance assets rather than a singular headliner. That could work in the Padres’ favor. With a pool of fringe prospects in the mid-minors, A.J. Preller might be able to swing a deal without parting with the organization’s crown jewels.

The Padres’ bullpen has been one of the best with a 3.28 ERA that ranks second second in the league. Yet, it couldn't hurt to add another stabilizing force in the late innings. Bednar fits that need perfectly. He’s under team control through 2026 and brings the kind of fire and reliability San Diego would have no problem finding a place for.

With the Pirates’ apparent willingness to entertain deals for most of their roster, and the Padres’ continued urgency to chase October, this could be the deadline match both sides need.

Don’t expect fireworks — but if Preller plays it right, San Diego could land one of the best relievers on the market.

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