Padres’ Left Field Search Intensifies as Trade Deadline Nears
With the MLB trade deadline fast approaching, the San Diego Padres remain focused on addressing their most pressing need: left field. General manager A.J. Preller is widely expected to make a move before the deadline passes, especially with the team slipping in the National League Wild Card race.
According to Tim Britton, Aaron Gleeman, and Eno Sarris of The Athletic, the Padres are one of several teams that urgently need to boost their offense. “Thanks to a deeper NL Central than anyone expected, the Padres have fallen out of playoff position in the past week,” they wrote. “That puts their most glaring weakness — left field — under the microscope.”
San Diego’s offensive output from left field has improved modestly with Gavin Sheets seeing time there, but the trade-off has been a weakened defense. And with Sheets shifted to the outfield, designated hitter duties have often fallen to José Iglesias or Trenton Brooks — both offering limited offensive upside.
The Padres are reportedly eyeing Baltimore Orioles slugger Ryan O’Hearn as a potential solution. O’Hearn, 31, was recently named the starting DH for the American League in the upcoming All-Star Game. As of Thursday, he was hitting .294/.381/.472 with 11 home runs and 30 RBIs.
Though O’Hearn has primarily played first base this season, the Orioles have given him more time in the outfield to showcase his versatility ahead of the trade deadline. In left field, he’s held his own defensively across 16 innings — grading out as a league-average fielder. In right field, he’s slightly below average over 112 innings.
O’Hearn could be a valuable addition to a Padres team in need of a bat that won’t be a liability in the field. While he may not be a perfect fit, he might be the best realistic option on the market. Financially, the commitment would be minimal — San Diego would only be responsible for the remainder of his $8 million club option before he hits free agency.
The pressure is mounting, and the Padres are aware that time is running out to strengthen their roster. “Right now, eight National League teams are on pace to win 87 games,” The Athletic noted. “That means some good teams are going to miss the postseason, and that raises the stakes for every potential upgrade.”
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