Padres Expected to Pursue Star Left Fielder, Trade Pitching Prospect

The San Diego Padres are actively looking to strengthen their pitching and left field positions ahead of the MLB trade deadline to improve their playoff chances in a competitive National League West. General manager A.J. Preller is open to acquiring veteran pitchers like Baltimore Orioles starter Tomoyuki Sugano, who offers a pitch-to-contact style that could bolster the Padres' injury-plagued rotation, and may trade pitching prospect Braden Nett to secure a reliable starter or a star corner outfielder. The Padres also face challenges filling their left field spot, targeting a star outfielder, though available options are limited with players like Boston's Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu, and Minnesota's Byron Buxton likely unavailable. Alongside trade efforts, the Padres prepare for the upcoming MLB Draft holding the 25th overall pick, with ESPN analysts predicting they will select shortstop Kayson Cunningham, a high school standout known for his hitting ability and speed. These moves reflect the Padres' commitment to investing in both present roster improvements and future talent development to close the gap with rivals like the Los Angeles Dodgers. The combination of trade market activity and strategic drafting will be crucial for the Padres' push toward postseason success.