4 trade targets the Padres should consider pursuing this summer

Despite building what many would call a "super team," the San Diego Padres appear to have multiple holes that need shoring up via trade this summer.

Most contending teams use the trade deadline to bulk up for a pennant race, and the Padres will certainly be no different if recent history is any indicator. Now, we're not saying to expect blockbuster trades like the Juan Soto and Josh Hader deals from last summer, but don't expect GM A.J. Preller to rest on his laurels, either.

Let's examine four trade targets that the Padres could pursue this summer as upgrades.

4 trade targets for the San Diego Padres to pursue this summer

1. Catcher: Yasmani Grandal

Grandal has played for San Diego in the past (2012-2014), and should be available at the trade deadline assuming the Chicago White Sox continue their free fall. The veteran catcher has a .798 OPS at the plate in 119 at-bats this season.

The Padres would be smart to upgrade at catcher since they're currently receiving below-average production from that position in 2023 (just -0.3 bWAR). Austin Nola just isn't getting things done, and journeyman Brett Sullivan is a nice story, but not a solution.

Grandal, unlike fellow catcher trade target Salvador Perez, would be a rental for the stretch run, meaning his acquistion cost would be lower. And when you consider the state of the Padres' farm system as it stands right now, that could really help matters.