3 former Padres who could be on the move at the MLB trade deadline

The San Diego Padres will likely be buyers at this year's MLB trade deadline. AJ Preller has already pulled off some slick additions this season by swinging a deal for Chicago White Sox starter Dylan Cease prior to the season as well as two-time batting championship Luis Arráez several weeks back.

It's doubtful, however, that the Padres are looking for any reunions at the MLB trade deadline. While one can never count out adding an old friend back to the roster, it sounds as if Preller is quite focused on adding White Sox starter Garrett Crochet prior to July 30. If that's truly the route Preller is going, the farm system likely to be picked over, making other deals rather difficult.

But several former Padres players could still be on the move in the coming weeks. Though a return to San Diego may be off the table, which former Friars could have a new address by the time the calendar turns to August?

Former Padres slugger Josh Bell could be on the move at the MLB trade deadline

He wasn't in San Diego for long, and former Padres first baseman Josh Bell seems destined to be moved (again) by the MLB trade deadline. Bell was in a deadline deal in his own right back in 2022, as both he and Juan Soto were dealt to the Padres in exchange for a massive prospect-laden package that included CJ Abrams and MacKenzie Gore.

Bell is now down in South Beach playing for the Miami Marlins. Just one year removed from making to the playoffs last season, the Fish are effectively out of the MLB Postseason hunt. Bell signed a one-year deal with Miami this past offseason and will probably be playing for his fifth team in three seasons after July 30.

If healthy, former Padres infielder Brandon Drury could be traded

Just like Bell and Soto, Brandon Drury arrived to San Diego at the trade deadline in 2022. Drury had an unexpected surge of power while playing for the Cincinnati Reds that year, and was dealt to the Padres in exchange for shortstop prospect Victor Acosta.

Drury turned his 2022 success into a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels the following offseason. With Shohei Ohtani now playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Mike Trout on the IL, the Halos have hit rock bottom and will be looking to sell any and all assets this summer.

Drury has been on the IL with a hamstring injury, but was recently sent on a rehab assignment. If he can prove that he's healthy over the next month, a contender may look to add Drury before the MLB trade deadline.

Former Padres outfielder Tommy Pham will likely be traded for the third straight year

Tommy Pham's time away from San Diego has been rather eventful. Much like the aforementioned Josh Bell, Pham has played for a number of teams the past few seasons. Pham was part of that same Reds team with Drury back in 2022, but was then traded to the Boston Red Sox. In 2023, Pham began the season with the New York Mets, but the slugger was dealt once again — this time to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Pham lingered on the free agent market this offseason, and there were even whispers about the left fielder rejoining the Friars. Ultimately, Pham signed a one-year deal with the Chicago White Sox and will probably be traded once again before the upcoming deadline.

Pham has taken on a mercenary role of sorts in recent years. Like Drury, Pham is on the IL at the moment, but he's expected to return to the active roster before the trade deadline passes. If Pham shows that he's healthy, look for the former Padres outfielder to be traded later this season.