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.

3. Center Fielder: Lane Thomas

Another outfielder from the Nationals? The Padres weren't afraid to pull the trigger last summer on Juan Soto, so they shouldn't be this summer either when it comes to acquiring Lane Thomas.

Thomas, 28 in August, is having a strong season thus far, with a .769 OPS and a 117 OPS+. Those numbers would definitely top the production San Diego is currently getting from incumbent center fielder Trent Grisham.

Unlike Yasmani Grandal or Aroldis Chapman, however, Lane Thomas would be a controllable asset for the Padres should they swing a deal with Washington for him. That would likely mean a steeper cost, but A.J. Preller has demonstrated he's willing to go all-in when necessary.

Thomas has played all of his games so far this season in right field, but has seen significant action in center field over the course of his career.

Designated Hitter: Brent Rooker

Though the Oakland Athletics are terrible, one of their biggest bright spots in 2023 has been the sudden emergence of designated hitter Brent Rooker.

Rooker, 28, is having a career season by the Bay with 11 home runs, a 1.042 OPS and a 194 OPS+. He's easily on track to be Oakland's lone All-Star in Seattle and would add some thunder to a Padres lineup that surprisingly lacks in that department.

Given Rooker's elite early production, the A's could get ahead of the journeyman's resurgence by selling high on his years of club control. San Diego may not have the ammunition to conjure up a competitive package for Rooker's services, but he would undoubtedly be a better option for Bob Melvin at DH than Nelson Cruz, Matt Carpenter or Rougned Odor.