Padres Rumors: AJ Preller pushing for 3 massive names as trade deadline looms

As July 30 drew to a close, the San Diego Padres were noticeably absent from the growing list of aggressive trade deadline movers. While contenders across the league, particularly in the NL East, made their pushes, like the Phillies and Mets fortifying their bullpens, the Padres remained eerily quiet. But don’t confuse silence for surrender.

According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, San Diego is far from done. In fact, General Manager A.J. Preller might just be saving his fireworks for the final hour.

Padres linked to trio of stars in final hours before MLB trade deadline

Per Rosenthal’s report, the Padres are actively pursuing three massive names: Red Sox Jarren Duran, Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan, and perhaps the most coveted bullpen arm on the market, A’s flamethrower Mason Miller.

In other words, Preller isn’t window shopping, he’s trying to completely reshape the Padres’ roster with a massive swing.

If he pulls it off? It’ll be a big shift. Duran and Kwan are two of the most dynamic leadoff-type hitters in the game, both elite contact bats with on-base prowess and elite speed. Either would give the Padres an instant jolt at the top of the lineup while tightening up the defense in left field. Pair that with Mason Miller, arguably the nastiest young closer in baseball, and suddenly the Padres would have a huge boost that could swing the NL Wild Card race.

But that’s a big if.

San Diego’s farm system is far from the deepest, especially after previous deals thinned it out. And while Preller has never shied away from emptying the clip, landing any of these targets would likely require a painful package of prospects and major league contributors. The Padres are walking a tightrope, balancing win-now ambition with long-term sustainability.

Adding to the deadline tension? Dylan Cease is still on the roster. Once viewed as the likeliest Padres trade chip, the right-hander with an expiring deal remains in San Diego — for now. Whether that means the asking price was too high, or the Padres are keeping him as insurance down the stretch, is anyone’s guess. But the fact that he hasn’t been moved yet only adds more mystery to Preller’s deadline blueprint.

One thing’s for certain: A.J. Preller is not content to sit idle while the Dodgers tighten their grip on the division. Expect the phone lines in San Diego’s war room to stay hot through the final hour before the 3 PM PST deadline.

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