The 2023 MLB trade deadline is two weeks away and time is starting to get thin for the San Diego Padres. Losing three out of four to begin their 10-game road trip has put their postseason lives on life support if the final two series against the Toronto Blue Jays and Detroit Tigers don't go well.
General manager A.J. Preller is going to have to make some. tough decisions ahead of the deadline and his decisions will ultimately be made by the players on the field. He has three ways he can go — buy, sell, or stand pat. Unless there is a winning streak in the Friars' future in the next two weeks, the GM might be left with selling or standing pat.
If Preller decides to sell, he was some pieces that could be used to get a decent haul back in return or he could look to move some minor pieces. Regardless of what happens before the deadline, you have to think that Juan Soto is someone who is safe as he has another year remaining on his contract and you have to think that the Padres are going to go all-in again in 2024 to erase the memory of 2023.
San Diego started clearing some roster spots in early July when they DFA'd Nelson Cruz who never really was able to find consistency in the lineup. He was not the hitter Preller was hoping he was getting when he signed him as a free agent over the winter for lineup depth.
San Diego Padres: 4 players who will not survive the trade deadline
This has been a disappointing season to date for the Friars and they have had several players underperform from their stars to their role players, both on the field and on the mound. Cruz will not be the last person to leave Southern California before the next two weeks are over. Preller has options to move out and here are four players that could see their time in San Diego come to an end.