San Diego Padres rumors: Sweep of Texas Rangers makes Padres trade deadline buyers

DENVER — The San Diego Padres got hot at the right time and head into Monday positioned as buyers as the MLB trade deadline nears, according to one MLB insider.

With a weekend sweep of the Texas Rangers at Petco Park, the Padres come to Coors Field for a three-game set against the Colorado Rockies at 52-54 and fully expected to keep Blake Snell, Josh Hader and Juan Soto, according to FanSided MLB insider Robert Murray.

San Diego Padres rumors: Trade deadline buyers heading into series against Colorado Rockies

In an article published on Monday morning, Murray wrote, "Teams were closely monitoring the Padres to see if they would move either star closer Josh Hader or left-hander Blake Snell. But after sweeping the Texas Rangers this weekend, trades involving either player are increasingly unlikely."

Murray went on to write, "With the Padres now positioned as buyers, they could look to upgrade their pitching depth, bench and bottom of their lineup."

This starts to put some clarity into what has been a very murky trade deadline picture for the Padres, who simply couldn't find their rhythm in the first four full months of the regular season. Now, with the MLB trade deadline set for 6 p.m. on Tuesday (August 1), the Padres will likely be looking to add pieces that will expand the options for manager Bob Melvin. San Diego may not be going after the big names on the market, believing they already have the talent on the roster to win. That approach could also ensure that the Padres keep some of their top prospects as well.

Could part of that pitching depth be another starter with Seth Lugo moving back to the bullpen? Lugo is scheduled to start on Monday in Colorado, a team that traded away two big offensive weapons on Sunday night, with C.J. Cron and Randal Grichuk heading to the Los Angeles Angels for a pair of minor league pitchers.

We will be in Colorado for the three-game series and have the latest on the Padres and their moves at the trade deadline from inside the San Diego clubhouse. Keep an eye on the site and our X/Twitter account here.