4 hitters that the San Diego Padres can target at the 2023 trade deadline

Last winter, San Diego Padres GM A.J. Preller went an interesting route to fill the DH role, taking a flyer on a pair of veterans in Nelson Cruz and Matt Carpenter. It's safe to say that it hasn't worked out.

First and foremost, let's not blame Cruz or Carpenter for the Friars' struggles and failure to meet expectations this season. It's not. Both can be easy targets because of their performances. Preller moved on from Cruz earlier this month when he was DFA'd. Last week, Rougned Odor was also DFA'd as he was splitting some left-handed at-bats with Carpenter in the DH role, as well as filling in defensively.

Carpenter's struggles have continued and right now the Padres are stuck with a player making $6.5 million after signing a two-year, $12 million contract. To make matters worse, the Los Angeles Dodgers signed J.D. Martinez to fill their DH role, and the former Boston Red Sox slugger signed for $10 million and is slashing .263/.313/.568 with 24 home runs and 73 RBI and was named to the National League All-Star team. Imagine him in the San Diego order this season.

It's easy to be a backseat quarterback, but one thing is clear as the trade deadline approaches for the Friars, then need to add at least one bat for more lineup depth, something Cruz, Odor and Carpenter have not and could not fill.

San Diego Padres: 4 hitters that should be targeted at the MLB trade deadline

There are some bats that are available over the next week that the Padres can look to acquire. It's still up in the air as to whether or not they are going to be buyers, sellers or just standing pat. Regardless, a bat is needed and here are four options for Preller to target.

San Diego Padres should target Adam Duvall at the trade deadline

The Boston Red Sox signed Adam Duvall to a one-year contract to play center field, but a wrist injury in early April against the Detroit Tigers set him back. He is starting to find his swing again after struggling after coming back.

In 39 games this season, he's slashing .257/.320/.515, but his swing is coming around and if he can turn things around, he is a right-handed bat that could fill the spot vacated by Cruz. He has played 36 games in the outfield and can play center and right.

Obviously, the Padres are set in the outfield, but he would be an addition that could split time or spell a night off or two for Trent Grisham in center field. He was brought in to fill the open spot in center in Boston, but youngster Jaren Duran is turning things around and making it nearly impossible for manager Alex Cora to keep him out of the lineup on a nightly basis.

He will be a free agent after the season after signing a one-year deal for $7 million and he is someone worth taking a shot with as he gives Bob Melvin multiple ways to be used down the stretch. He's not turning into the version of Adam Duvall the Atlanta Braves got, but he's a two-month rental that can hit. He's finding himself getting pushed out of Boston.

San Diego Padres should target Paul Goldschmidt at the trade deadline

If you think things have been tough in San Diego this season, it's been worse for the St. Louis Cardinals who recently climbed out of the basement in the National League Central past the Pittsburgh Pirates.

John Mozeliak recently said that St. Louis will be sellers and they have several pieces that teams would be interested in. One is power-hitting first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, who is under contract for 2024 as well. The 35-year-old is having a good season despite the Cardinals' struggles.

He's slashing .283/.371/.466 with 16 home runs and 50 RBI, but he brings multiple options to the Friars. Acquiring Goldschmidt could move Jake Cronenworth back to his normal position at second base, which would make him feel more comfortable. He could also take over some of the right-handed DH at-bats too.

It appears that the Cardinals are going to go with some younger players and Goldschmidt does not fit on the roster going forward as by the time St. Louis is going to be a contender, his time will be almost done. Moving him is the move to make and San Diego could fill a hole for the rest of this season and in 2024.

San Diego Padres should target Cody Bellinger at the trade deadline

The best bat on the market will be Cody Bellinger's and expect the Chicago Cubs to sell high on him. He checks a lot of boxes for most teams at the trade deadline and can be someone who could sign next season as he is scheduled to hit free agency over the winter.

He is having a good bounce-back season for the Cubs after parting ways with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He's slashing .319/.369/.549 with 14 home runs and 44 RBI. Chicago signed a number of free agents last winter, including former Padres' first baseman Eric Hosmer, but injuries have derailed the 2023 season on the North Side.

Prior to last season, Bellinger came up clutch for the Dodgers, and Friars fans know all about that. His left-handed bat would benefit from Petco Park's dimensions and he can play all three outfield positions.

The asking price for Bellinger will be high and there are going to be plenty of teams involved like the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, and San Francisco Giants. This would be a season-saving move from Preller, but one that adds serious thump to their lineup and an extra outfielder.