Padres Looking To Trade For Left Field Hel

No team in baseball has gotten le s from the left field position this season than the Padres, whose left fielders have combined for an unimpre sive over the teams first 50 games. While the trade deadline is over two months away, it isnt surprising that this glaring weakne s is already on the radar, as writes that the Padres have begun exploring the trade market for a left fielder. The list of internal options got even thinner on Saturday when San Diego placed on the 10-day injured list due to a left oblique strain. The severity of Heywards strain isnt yet known, but even a minor oblique i sue usually means at least a few weeks of recovery time, which deals another blow to what has already been a rough season for the veteran outfielder. Heyward is hitting only .176/.223/.271 over 95 plate appearances, and he already mi sed 10 days of action in April due to an earlier IL stint for left knee inflammation. was called up from Triple-A in the corresponding move for Heyward, technically giving the Padres three catchers on the roster between Campusano, , and . However, manager Mike Shildt indicated that Campusano will act as the Padres DH against left-handed pitching, and could also get some time as a first baseman. Either deployment could free up to Jim Eisenreich Jersey spend more time in left field, and the combination of Sheets, , and utilityman are expected to handle left field duties until Heyward is healthy or perhaps until a new addition joins the team. After departed in free agency, San Diego signed Heyward and to one-year, $1MM free agent contracts with the idea that the two veterans could form an inexpensive left field platoon. Those plans went awry due to Heywards struggles and the Padres preference to give prospect Lockridge more of an extended look at the MLB level, so Joe (who appeared in only seven big league games for the Friars) was dealt to the Reds . was also so he could sign with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of NPB, as the Padres parted ways with another under-performing outfielder. Lockridge is hitting just .197/.258/.262 over 68 PA, and rookie also hasnt done much in limited playing time. Sheets is enjoying a very nice year at the plate but he is a defensive liability as a regular outfielder, plus regular usage in left field would also create another lineup hole since Sheets would spend le s time in the first base/DH mix. Given that the Friars acquired from the Marlins in early May 2024, it wouldnt nece sarily be a shock if president of baseball operations A.J. Preller moved sooner rather than later on a significant addition. That said, the Arraez trade was something of a perfect storm of circumstances, as most out-of-contention teams wait until much closer to the deadline to start unloading their top trade chips. Landing the left-field equivalent of an established regular like Arraez is also not simple, as the Padres might for now just be looking for more part-time or platoon types. Since it is only late May, struggling teams like the Orioles or Pirates will likely see how June plays out before moving fully into sell mode. If Baltimore cant turn around its shocking disappointing season, such outfielders and impending free agents as , , or could all be of interest to outfield-needy teams like the Padres. is having a rough year for the Pirates and might be available earlier, but despite Phams struggles, the ex-Padre might get some consideration from his former team. Looking at teams who are already in clear sell mode, White Sox outfielder is probably too expensive to merit serious trade consideration unle s Chicago eats the majority of Benintendis remaining salary. , or also figure to all be available as deadline rentals. Another early trade with the Marlins might be po sible since is readily available, yet Sanchez hasnt hit much in 2025. The Rockies figure to be open to moving anyone besides their most prized younger players, though Colorados roster doesnt offer much in the way of a clear upgrade for San Diego. Matt Strahm Jersey