Padres pivot to under-the-radar outfield target as trade talks intensify

The 2025 MLB trade deadline is quickly approaching, and the San Diego Padres have a few blemishes in their roster to patch up (hopefully). The Friars are shopping for potentially a new catcher, starting, and left fielder.

Since Jurickson Profar's departure, the Padres have not looked tremendous in left field. They've shown interest in several left fielders, including Luis Robert Jr. and Steven Kwan, but there may be another player more suitable for the Padres - one who is overlooked compared to the rest of the tradable names.

San Diego is already showing interest in a couple of Baltimore Orioles, such as Charlie Morton and Adley Rutschman, so they may as well look further into outfielder Ramon Laureno, who is having a resurgent campaign in 2025.

Padres show interest in Orioles' sleeper outfield trade option Ramon Laureano

Entering riday, Laureano has a 2.5 bWAR, 14 home runs, 16 doubles, and 43 RBIs. These are all marks that he has not hit since 2021, and now, the 31-year-old could be the difference-maker for several contending teams eager to add an outfielder ahead of the trade deadline.

Not only is Laureano exhibiting offensive prowess (solid xSLG, xwOBA, Chase % metrics), his arm is among the best in the league. Laureano has seven outfield assists and seven defensive runs saved, which would undoubtedly round out a strong outfield with Jackson Merrill and Fernando Tatis Jr. No one would run on the Friars on any fly ball.

Whatever team winds up with Laureano, their fans are bound to be happier than they will initially think. There are plenty of household outfield names on the trade market right now, but Laureano might have the best return on investment if he continues to play the way he has with Baltimore in 2025.