SAN DIEGO -- The Trade Deadline is hours away, and Padres general manager A.J. Preller has work to do.
He’s constructed a 2025 roster with a World Series-caliber ceiling, despite several key flaws. Preller has yet to make any moves to address those flaws, but that will almost certainly change in the (very near) future.
In descending order of importance, here are the five biggest questions the Padres need to answer ahead of Thursday’s 3 p.m. PT Trade Deadline.
5. Do they want another reliever?
The bullpen has been the Padres’ biggest strength this season. They lead the Majors in ERA and recently became the first team in MLB history to send three relievers to an All-Star Game. Jeremiah Estrada, Adrian Morejon, Jason Adam and Robert Suarez are shortening games.
But the Padres are trying to win in October. And in October, there’s no such thing as too many relievers.
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In fact, even right now, San Diego could use another arm in the ‘pen to ease the burden on the Four Horsemen (as they’ve been dubbed by manager Mike Shildt). In particular, the Padres could use a left-hander to serve as the No. 2 left-handed option behind Morejon.
There are bigger issues than finding a serviceable fifth option in the ‘pen. But it won’t hurt to explore upgrades -- and it could significantly shorten games come October.
4. What’s the level of need in the rotation?
Yu Darvish is back. Michael King is on his way back. But there are still question marks surrounding both -- though Darvish went a long way toward answering some of those questions with a vintage performance on Wednesday afternoon.
The Padres have gotten remarkable contributions from Randy Vásquez, Stephen Kolek and Ryan Bergert, who have combined to post a 3.69 ERA. But would they entrust any of that trio with a playoff start? If Darvish isn’t himself -- or if he’s limited physically -- that’s where this is headed.
Unless, of course, the Padres were to add a No. 3 or 4 starter to their rotation. Then again, there’s also the possibility they might trade from that rotation. (More on that later.)
3. Will the Padres add at catcher?
The question isn’t: Can the Padres upgrade at catcher? They absolutely can. Their current duo of Martín Maldonado and Elias Díaz doesn’t hit much, and the metrics aren’t kind defensively. The Padres insist they’ve been instrumental in run-prevention efforts, and that may be true. But there are absolutely upgrades available.
At what cost though?
Catching is scarce. It’s expensive. If you can find it, it’s generally viewed as the most difficult position to assimilate in-season because of the difficulties of learning a new pitching staff.
Can the Padres stomach the second worst offensive production in the Majors (a 69 wRC+) at catcher, if they get better in left field and on the bench?
2. What level of outfield/DH upgrade can the Padres find?
The Padres are going to upgrade their left field/DH situation in some capacity. In a Deadline full of possibilities, that’s the only certainty. The question is: How big an upgrade?
The Padres have been rumored as suitors for Steven Kwan and Jarren Duran for months seemingly. While both would unquestionably be upgrades, they’re not going to come cheap. The Padres don’t have the prospect capital they’ve had at past Deadlines.
Check out Mark Feinsand’s list of the likeliest players to be traded. There are plenty of corner-outfield options who would come much cheaper. And if those asking prices are too high, perhaps they merely look for a DH-type bat like Marcell Ozuna, keeping Gavin Sheets in left field, where he has emerged as a passable defender.
Of course, the level of resources the Padres have might be contingent on the biggest question facing them at the Deadline…
1. What happens with Dylan Cease?
This is the question that could shape the entire Deadline for the Padres. They don’t have much to work with in terms of tradeable prospects? Well, they’d change that in a big way if they were to move arguably the best pitcher on the trade market. That might also free them up financially to take on greater commitments elsewhere.
Cease -- like King, Luis Arraez and presumably Suarez -- is slated to become a free agent after the season. The Padres would love to recoup some longer term value, and they’d probably be looking for big league-ready help in return.
Then again, Cease remains a steady presence in the Padres’ rotation despite his underperformance this season. You’d pencil him in as a starter in a potential Wild Card Series right now. Can the Padres really afford to move on from that?
The answer probably depends on what else they do at the Deadline. It’ll be a busy one.