The San Diego Padres have a huge void in left field. They have Fernando Tatis Jr. in right field and Jackson Merrill in center, but the third outfield spot has been a revolving door of below-average performance. San Diego, a team known for its aggressiveness, is set to hit the trade market hard in the coming weeks. The Padres could also use some left-handed power in the lineup, so signing a left-handed outfielder with power would be the ideal scenario. Robert Murray, a FanSided MLB insider, recently suggested that the Padres could be a destination in a trade for Baltimore Orioles slugger Ryan O’Hearn in the coming weeks. O’Hearn can play both outfield and first base, but the Padres are more likely to want him in the outfield.
“It wouldn’t be the trade deadline unless the Padres are connected to the biggest bats on the market,” Murray said in an email. “I fully expect A.J. Preller to call here and for any other bat that can help the lineup, especially given San Diego’s need for lefty power. It’s Preller season, after all.” This is the type of transaction that the Padres could make without depleting their farm system. O’Hearn is incredibly skilled and enjoying a fantastic season, but he’s hardly a superstar, and acquiring him would most likely not cost any top prospects.
The slugger’s contract expires at the end of the season, making him a prime trade candidate for Baltimore. The only issue is that the Padres will likely face some competition in acquiring O’Hearn, as there are bound to be more than a handful of teams vying for his services. However, if the Padres want to keep up with the Los Angeles Dodgers, an aggressive move like this will be required.
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