Padres Prioritize Offensive Upgrades Amid Injuries, Offensive Struggles

The San Diego Padres are focusing on bolstering their offense and pitching depth as the trade deadline approaches, with President of Baseball Operations A.J. Preller emphasizing the need to add one or two bats to round out the lineup. The team has struggled offensively, particularly at catcher and left field, where offensive production has been below league average, and the Padres are exploring upgrades in these positions. Meanwhile, star player Fernando Tatis Jr. has endured a prolonged slump, but remains a key contributor and will participate in the All-Star break in Atlanta. On the pitching side, the return of Yu Darvish from injury is highly anticipated and expected to strengthen the rotation, alongside hopeful returns from Michael King. Despite individual talents like Tatis and Manny Machado, the Padres have struggled with consistent run production and overall offensive efficiency, which Preller acknowledges as a priority to address. The club's payroll concerns and strategic roster moves suggest a careful but determined approach to improving their postseason chances.