San Diego Padres rumors: Peter Seidler says team "always open for business"

The San Diego Padres weren't afraid to spend in order to add to the team in the offseason. According to the franchise's chairman, Peter Seidler, the team could well be looking for ways to change the roster even more as the MLB trade deadline approaches.

San Diego Padres rumors: An active trade deadline coming?

In a wide-ranging interview with Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune (subscription required), Seidler was asked about the possibility of the Padres being active at the upcoming MLB trade deadline (August 1).

“Come on,” Seidler said with, according to Acee, a loud laugh. “You know we’re always open for business.”

How exactly the Padres will be open for business remains to be seen, but it's clear from the interview that Seidler isn't ready to concede the 2023 season as a lost cause, despite his team entering Sunday with a 38-45 mark and just 3-7 in their last 10 games. San Diego's recent stumbles have the Padres 11.5 games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League West and 8.0 games out of the NL Wild Card.

Just a day earlier, general manager A.J. Preller said, "You’re always looking at things to improve the team and to see what presents itself." There certainly could be plenty of improvements for what has been an underwhelming Padres offense so far this season, but how high of a price will the Padres pay (in terms of prospects or additional resources) in order to pull off a deal? That remains to be seen.

With Robert Suarez working his way back from an injury, the San Diego bullpen is likely to get a boost in the near future, potentially shoring up one of the team's weaknesses without having to go outside the organization. Designated hitter is certainly other area where the Padres could use some help, with the team entering Sunday tied for 23rd out of MLB's 30 clubs at the position with a minus-1.0 cumulative bWAR.

If San Diego can find its rhythm before the All-Star break and get closer to the .500 mark, exactly how the team may be "open for business" and how active the Padres will be could come into better focus after the Midsummer Classic in Seattle.