Padres trade for Manny Machado's backup at third base one hour before deadline

AJ Preller and the rest of the Padres' front office staff have been unbelievably busy ahead of the 2025 trade deadline. San Diego added a pair of arms from the A's in Mason Miller and JP Sears, traded for catcher Freddy Fermin from the Royals, then stunned fans with the addition of two Orioles bats in Ramon Laureano and Ryan O'Hearn - and now time for a deep breath.

Or not. Preller is not only amplifying roster needs, but adding reinforcements in other areas. The Padres, perhaps surprisingly, traded for infielder Will Wagner from the Blue Jays, who is a tremendous option to be Manny Machado's backup at third base.

Padres trade for infielder Will Wagner one hour before deadline

The 27-year-old has been used as a utility option in his limited MLB play, but has seen most of his time at third base this season. Wagner can also play first base and second base, but he's logged 24 of his 40 games played at the hot corner.

Wagner, batting .237 with a .634 OPS, has been on a scorcher in July. His trade stock inflated, as he is a .286 hitter this month alongside five doubles, five RBIs, and seven walks across 18 contests. His xBA and walk % stand out most, and has decent metrics against right-handed pitchers.

Wagner was traded for Brandon Valenzuela, a catcher with Double-A San Antonio. Valenzuela, 24, was hitting .229 this season with 12 home runs.

Out of all the moves that the Padres are making ahead of the trade deadline, is Will Wagner the one that will turn the most heads? Will he contribute the most? Absolutely not, but this trade just tells us that Preller is hungry, and he is not going to stop making moves until he feels that his club is a perfect position to contend for the playoffs. Friars fans can appreciate that.