San Diego Padres: 4 players who won't survive the trade deadline

Matt Carpenter

Like Cruz, signing Carpenter over the winter was a low-risk, high-reward move after the season he had in 2022 with the Yankees, but after giving him $12 million over two seasons, it's a deal that Preller would like to get out of. I wrote earlier about having patience with the veteran, but as the deadline approaches, his time should be running out.

His at-bats are being split with Odor, but Carpenter is also struggling. Losing both Odor and Carpenter would be tough to replace, but for San Diego, it's either about getting a more productive bat for a second-half run, or dumping both players and in Carpenter's case, getting out from under his contract. Preller has to be able to find a left-handed bat in a deal.

Blake Snell

If things continue to spiral downward for the Padres and they fall out by the deadline, what a haul Blake Snell would give them in return. He's pitching the best that he has all season and a lot of it has to do with Sanchez's arrival, but trading Snell to a contender when he's a free agent following the season could be a sneaky good deal.

Snell would be a welcomed addition to a contender and even a reunion in Tampa Bay with the Rays would not be out of the question. They generally don't make big splashes at the deadline, but they know what they would be getting in Snell. He has been dominant as of late and raising his stock up there with Marcus Stroman of the Chicago Cubs. This is Preller's best trade chip in two weeks should he decide to move him.

Preller has options to sell and these would be good pieces that would fit in for a contender for the final two months should San Diego count themselves out. Snell would bring back the biggest haul in return, but there is no way that Soto gets moved. It's clear that some players are not going to survive the trade deadline with the Friars, it's just a matter of who.