Padres' crowded bullpen could make Yuki Matsui their clearest deadline trade chip

Regarding the Padres' lineup, something needs to be done by AJ Preller ahead of the trade deadline. Entering June 9, San Diego is dead last in all of Major League Baseball in team OPS (.647) and OBP (.290). How did we get to this point?

Yes, guys like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado have not done their part. Jake Cronenworth has been hurt. But it takes a collective to be that far down the list in several team categories. It's painful to see, considering how strong this lineup has been over the last several years.

So in order to beef up this lineup, a trade must be done. The likeliest player to be dealt by the Friars this season would come out of the bullpen. Since there is so much star power from our relief staff, we can afford to lose an arm there. Unfortunately, that might mean it's Yuki Matsui who would be dealt. In his third year with San Diego, Matsui is a fan favorite, but his trade stock should be pretty high among teams desperate for some middle-innings help. Hint: There's a lot of teams with that need.

It makes too much sense for Padres to part ways with Yuki Matsui ahead of 2026 trade deadline

Signed through 2028, the left-hander is still owed nearly $14 million until then. For a guy who isn't very high on the Padres' totem pole of relievers, that might be a bit too much to keep him around while other areas of the roster are struggling. But, that doesn't mean another team wouldn't be willing to eat the rest of Matsui's contract.

In his first 11 appearances of the 2026 season, Matsui had a 0.53 ERA, allowing one run just one time. His splitter-slider combo has been lethal, so when you pair that with being a lefty, it generally gets other general managers excited. Preller just needs to put the right package together to make that happen. And if it does, we'll Matsui, but it would be done for the better. This lineup is leaking and needs help immediately.

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