San Diego Padres trade rumors: 1 dream scenario, 1 savvy play, and 1 to avoid

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The start of the San Diego Padres 2023 season has not gone according to plan. Currently, they’re sitting at 37-40, trailing the National League West-leading Arizona Diamondbacks by 8.5 games and a Wild Card berth by 6.5 games. The Friars have struggled in one-run games, as their record is 5-15 thus far.

However, Padres general manager A.J. Preller will not be discourage by the disappointing start to make changes to the roster. Plenty of options are available for him, and player moves seem very likely to occur.

Here are one dream scenario, one savvy play and one to avoid altogether.

San Diego Padres were last season's MLB trade deadline winner

After acquiring Juan Soto from the Washington Nationals at last summer’s trade deadline, the Friars tasted a memorable postseason run last October. Team management was not going to sit back and rest on their laurels. Instead, they wanted to play in more meaningful games this season.

The Padres signed Xavier Bogearts to a nine-figure, long-term free-agent deal. At the start of spring training, they re-signed Yu Darvish and Manny Machado to contract extensions. All the moves showed the Friars are ready to compete for a World Series title. But the roster has not lived up to the hype.

Preller is a man that rarely admits to mistakes. He gutted the farm system to field this roster, but that will not stop him from making one last tweak before the trade deadline.

Dream scenario: Acquiring a full-time designated hitter

The Friars need a designated hitter who can hit the ball consistently from the bottom half of the lineup. Nelson Cruz and Matt Carpenter are hitting a combined .218 with 9 home runs and 46 RBI in 256 at-bats. The lack of production, especially with runners in scoring position, has made seeking an upgrade a priority before the August 1 deadline. The Padres have the assets to make such a move.

San Diego might be a great landing spot for Cincinnati's Nick Senzel or Colorado's Randal Grichuk. Each player’s bat can jump-start the Padres offense. With each franchise going through a youth movement, both players would love to take their talents to a team that has expectations of playing in October.

Senzel was considered one of the top prospects in baseball after getting drafted second overall in the 2016 MLB Amateur draft. But his production has been inconsistent in the majors. This season, Senzel is hitting .244 with 5 home runs and 28 RBI in 197 plate appearances. It might be time for him to move on to a new organization.

Grichuk started the 2023 season on the injured list (hernia surgery), but his bat has been sizzling since his debut in late April. Grichuk is batting .294/.364/.443 with a pair of homers and 16 RBI in 176 plate appearances. Plus, he can play all three outfield positions.

Swapping for either player might be a real possibility.

San Diego Padres second baseman Ha-Seong Kim / Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

One savvy play: Dealing Ha-Seong Kim

One of the most entertaining players in baseball is Ha-Seong Kim. But the Padres lineup has struggled to score runs all season. Preller is not actively shopping Kim, but he might be tempted to trade him for a hard-hitting run producer.

However, a Kim trade only makes sense if the Friars acquire Jake Cronenworth’s replacement at first base. Rumors have circulated that the St. Louis Cardinals might deal their star first baseman, Paul Goldschmidt, to begin rebuilding the roster. But nothing has translated into anything substantial. It is hard to imagine the Cardinals parting with one of their cornerstone players despite sinking to last place in the NL Central Division.

Kim is a sought-after trade commodity, as he will make an immediate impact to any team’s lineup. Managers love versatile players, and Kim can play anywhere on the infield (2B, SS and 3B). In 2022, he showed offensive and defensive skills that merited him to be considered an everyday shortstop. He batted .251/.325/.383 with 11 homers and 59 RBI while committing only eight errors in 503 chances.

There might be more profiled names available at the trade deadline, but an organization will have a hard time acquiring an infielder of Kim’s ability in a potential deal. Preller would not trade him unless he received the right players in return.

San Diego Padres relief pitcher Josh Hader / Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

One to avoid altogether: Trading Josh Hader

Over the last few seasons, a coveted closer has been available at the trade deadline. It would be a mistake for the Friars to trade Josh Hader away due to his pending free agency next offseason. The Padres are equipped to secure a Wild Card berth. But the absence of Hader closing out games will be a factor in their failure to make the postseason.

No question, Preller’s phone will not stop ringing as other contending teams are calling to gauge his closer's availability. Hold all calls, as Hader will be a key component to the Friars getting back in the postseason hunt.

Granted, he has struggled during his tenure with the Padres. In 49 appearances, Hader has 25 saves and recorded 64 strikeouts in 44.2 innings pitched. When he is on, Hader is hard to touch. He throws a high-octane fastball (96 MPH), a slider and a change-up that makes opposing hitters look feeble at the plate.

If the Padres trade Hader, they will be waving the white flag for the 2023 season. It is hard to contend for a World Series without a premier closer in the bullpen.

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