1 trade candidate from every MLB team that the San Diego Padres should consider

The San Diego Padres are a team in an uncomfortable situation. We know they went all in on 2023 hoping to win on the backs of a monstrous payroll, and that failed spectacularly. While money seemed to be no issue last offseason, the Padres are now a team in financial limbo expected to shed payroll throughout the winter.

Shedding payroll almost certainly means San Diego won't have the funds necessary to pursue some of their free agents like Blake Snell and Josh Hader. It also means a player like Juan Soto who is due a boatload of money in his final arbitration year and is going to get one of the largest contracts in MLB history next offseason, could be on the move.

While money appears to be a very real obstacle, the Padres won't be entering a rebuild. Most of their core is locked in for a very long time, so this team will want to win. One way for them to do that could be through the trade market. They'd have to give up some of their prospect capital, but can get players on cheaper contracts with more control by executing trades. These players all make some sort of sense for A.J. Preller to pursue.

1 trade candidate from every NL West team that the Padres should consider

Arizona Diamondbacks: Joe Mantiply

Trading within the division is always tough, especially when it'd be a huge trade. For that reason, a guy like Joe Mantiply could make sense for Arizona. The Padres need bullpen help especially with Hader on his way out, and Mantiply could fill in as the primary lefty out of the bullpen in place of Tim Hill who really struggled this past season.

Colorado Rockies: Austin Gomber

Before you come screaming at me about his 5.50 ERA, Austin Gomber had a 3.68 ERA in his 12 starts away from Coors Field this past season. With that in mind, taking a chance on him at pitcher-friendly Petco Park could make some sense, especially because he'd cost next to nothing to acquire.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Ryan Yarbrough

The Dodgers are going to pursue some of the top free agent starting pitchers on the market and will also be looking to give their young starters a chance to be a part of their rotation. Ryan Yarbrough is neither a high-end starter or a young arm. He could be another guy San Diego looks to place at the back of their rotation or even work out of the bullpen in a long relief role.

San Francisco Giants: Joey Bart

The Giants really don't have many realistic intriguing options, so Joey Bart is who we're going with. Luis Campusano earned at least a part-time role behind the dish for 2024 thanks to his great play down the stretch, but San Diego doesn't have a backup catcher. Brett Sullivan is not going to cut it. Taking a chance on a former top prospect like Joey Bart could make sense as the Giants will give the full reigns to Patrick Bailey behind the dish.

1 trade candidate from every NL Central team that the Padres should consider

Chicago Cubs: Patrick Wisdom

Patrick Wisdom might hit for a low average and strike out a lot, but he has tons of power and can play both corner infield positions. He probably wouldn't play everyday, but can be a valuable bench piece that can also DH if there is a need.

Cincinnati Reds: Nick Senzel

Nick Senzel would be another piece added to improve the bench. San Diego's bench is very subpar right now, and Senzel at the very least adds a ton of versatility with the ability to play all over the infield and outfield. Senzel also posted an OPS over 1.000 in 126 plate appearances against southpaws, making him an intriguing platoon option.

Milwaukee Brewers: Corbin Burnes

The first big name and arguably the biggest name you'll see on this list. Burnes is one of the best pitchers in the National League and could be very available this offseason if Milwaukee decides to enter a full rebuild. If Burnes is available, he could be a player that allows San Diego to save more money than they would have had they re-signed a guy like Blake Snell, and arguably upgrade at the same time. The downside, of course, is what they'd have to give up player-wise.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Mitch Keller

If Burnes turns out to cost too much or San Diego gets nervous about his rental status, they can pursue a guy like Mitch Keller who can slot into that third rotation spot nicely and add an additional year of control. Keller is nowhere near as good as Burnes, but he also has a ton of potential. He continues to improve for the Pirates and, if available, could be in for his best year yet with the Friars.

St. Louis Cardinals: Tyler O'Neill

The Cardinals have a boatload of outfielders that they're going to have to trade in exchange for something, and Tyler O'Neill is one of those guys who could be on the block. He's just a couple of years removed from a top-eight finish in the NL MVP balloting, but he's struggled with injuries and performance since. He's a prime bounce-back candidate and could be a solid Juan Soto replacement if they trade him. If Soto stays, the Friars can put O'Neill in left with Soto at DH.

1 trade candidate from every NL East team that the Padres should consider

Atlanta Braves: Michael Soroka

Mike Soroka finished sixth in the NL Cy Young balloting in 2019 but has made just 10 MLB appearances (nine starts) since thanks to injury woes. He struggled in his short stints with Atlanta this season, leading to the potential of him being non-tendered or traded. With the right-hander almost certainly not being in Atlanta's plans, he can be acquired by the Padres to fill in at the back of the rotation for almost nothing.

Miami Marlins: Steven Okert

The Marlins have four left-handers in their bullpen, and Steven Okert might be the worst of the four. Despite that, he did a pretty good job for Miami this past season against both righties and lefties, and can be a guy the Padres plug into their bullpen to pitch the middle innings.

New York Mets: Pete Alonso

Let's have a little fun. This is probably the most unrealistic trade San Diego would make, but adding Pete Alonso in the event that they move on from Juan Soto would help this team a lot. Of course, they'd be in the same dilemma with Alonso hitting free agency at the end of the season, but he'd be significantly cheaper to re-sign. Probably not going to happen, but with Alonso reportedly available it's fun to think about.

Philadelphia Phillies: Cristian Pache

The Padres could use a fourth outfielder upgrade over Jose Azocar, and Cristian Pache would provide that. He'd be a solid platoon option with Trent Grisham while providing excellent speed and defense off the bench. With Philadelphia already having Johan Rojas, they have no need for Pache.

Washington Nationals: Kyle Finnegan

Kyle Finnegan is a reliever Washington has dangled the last couple of trade deadlines but has held onto. He's served as their primary closer in recent years and has done a nice job. With Washington still rebuilding, ghetting something for the 32-year-old while he still has two years of team control could be something they decide to do.

1 trade candidate from every AL Central team that the Padres should consider

Chicago White Sox: Dylan Cease

Dylan Cease is another starting pitcher available that could rival what Blake Snell did this past season. Sure, he had a rough 2023, but was the Cy Young runner-up the year prior and has as good of pure stuff as any starter out there. He comes with two years of control and appears to be very available to be had in a trade.

Cleveland Guardians: Cal Quantrill

The Guardians are another team out there that could be looking to reset, and moving on from their position of strength could be how they accumulate assets. The Guardians have one of the best rotations in the majors, and Cal Quantrill is a very expendable part of that. Shane Bieber is the exciting name, but he'd also cost more and has one fewer year of control than Quantrill. Plus, the fact that Quantrill was already here could be confidence-inducing.

Detroit Tigers: Alex Lange

The Tigers are a possible team that will look to sneak into the playoffs in 2024 so trading their closer might be weird, but Detroit has several quality young relievers which makes Lange expendable. Detroit could look to hold onto him, but this could also be their chance to cash in on his many years of control. The Padres need a closer with Hader leaving, this wouldn't be a bad place to look.

Kansas City Royals: Brady Singer

Brady Singer had an awful 2023 for the Royals, but is still young with a ton of team control and has had success in the past. He'd be a fit in the back end for now with the potential of improving in a change of scenery.

Minnesota Twins: Max Kepler

Max Kepler had his $10 million club option picked up by the Twins, but he's still seen as a player that could be moved this offseason. Minnesota has a ton of left-handed hitting corner outfielders, and could look to move a guy like Kepler to improve in other areas of their roster. He'd be a fine Soto replacement in left field or could fill in as the primary DH if Soto stays.

1 trade candidate from every AL East team that the Padres should consider

Baltimore Orioles: Anthony Santander

It might be odd to see the Orioles trade one of their best hitters this offseason, but Anthony Santander is entering his final year of team control and is projected to make around $14 million in 2024. The Orioles have plenty of prospects including Colton Cowser who can replace him in the outfield, and can look to add more assets for a guy they will likely let walk in free agency with him being out of their price range. Santander could fit in the corner outfield, DH, or even at first base for San Diego.

Boston Red Sox: Alex Verdugo

Alex Verdugo is another guy that would essentially be a Juan Soto replacement. He's nowhere near as good as Soto but could be in a trade that sends Soto to Boston, or can simply slide in to play left field if Soto departs. He'd have one year to prove himself before the Padres have to decide if they want to keep him around long-term or not. At least he'd have extra motivation to defeat his former team, the Dodgers.

New York Yankees: Clarke Schmidt

Clarke Schmidt could find himself on the outside looking in when it comes to being a part of the Yankees rotation if they add a starter like Yoshinobu Yamamoto in free agency. Schmidt made 32 starts for New York this past season and could slot into the back end of San Diego's rotation. He also has options, making him a guy they could use in a variety of roles both in the majors and minors.

Tampa Bay Rays: Tyler Glasnow

The Tampa Bay Rays could look to move the oft-injured Glasnow, and the fact that this right-hander never seems to be healthy for a full season could lower his price to the point where the Padres won't have to touch their top prospects. When healthy, Glasnow is an ace. San Diego would just have to make sure they have enough there to cover for if he were to miss time.

Toronto Blue Jays: Alek Manoah

Alek Manoah was an AL Cy Young finalist in 2022 but could find his way out of Toronto this offseason after how bad he was on the mound. Manoah's struggles caused him to get sent down multiple times, and puts him as a guy who has to re-earn his spot on the Jays. Instead of hoping Manoah turns it around, the Jays could look to trade him. With his value as low as it'd be, Preller would have to at least consider it.