San Diego Padres Should Look To Bolster Their Offense At The Trade Deadline

The San Diego Padres continue to have designs on catching the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West.

At the conclusion of the first half of the season, the Padres sit at 52-42, 10 games behind the division leading Dodgers.

Chasing the Dodgers has become an annual event in San Diego.

Without question, Padres fans are enthusiastic about their team. They are attending games and showing their support. According to ESPN.com, the Padres enjoy the fifth best attendance in Major League Baseball. Their average attendance at the All Star break is 37,176 in 46 home games.

fangraphs.com lists the Padres 2022 estimated payroll at $209M, or $35M more than the estimated 2021 final payroll figure.

Money does not seem to be an issue in trying to improve their baseball team.

The first of four MLB Luxury Tax penalties kicks in if a team exceeds a payroll of $230M. While they are flirting with the floor of the tax structure, the Padres could still add payroll and avoid the tax.

While pitching has been the focal point of the Padres, their offense could use some help. MLB.com lists their team batting average as .241, putting them in 9th place among the 15 National League clubs.

The Padres have hit 77 home runs, placing them only ahead of the Washington Nationals in the National League.

After playing 94 games, four more than the Dodgers, the Padres have scored 408 runs, 54 fewer than Los Angeles.

Padres pitching has a collective 3.77 Earned Run Average. The Dodgers 2.96 ERA leads the league.

Opponents are hitting only .228 against Padres pitching, second best in the league. The best? The Dodgers, at a remarkably low .217.

Offensive Trade Ideas:

While there are those that argue the Padres could use help in their bullpen, it is this scout’s belief that by the August 2 trade deadline, the team should shore up their outfield offense.

Given the news Washington Nationals superstar outfielder Juan Soto rejected a contract extension worth $440M and may now be on the trading block, would the Padres be in the hunt for Soto? Frankly, that scenario can’t be discounted. But Washington may choose to send him out of the National League.

The competition for Soto could be fierce, and it is likely the Padres will look at a variety of outfield upgrades, while perhaps still targeting Soto.

As listed by RosterResource.com, the Padres most commonly used outfielders finished the first half with these offensive statistics:

Jurickson Profar-LF (.241/.343/.394/.737 with 8 homers, 38 RBIs, 50 runs scored, 4 stolen bases)

Trent Grisham-CF (.190/.292/.330/.622 with 9 homers, 33 RBIs, 36 runs scored, 4 stolen bases)

Nomar Mazara-RF (.304/.355/.411/.766, with 2 homers, 17 RBIs, 13 runs scored, 0 stolen bases)

Wil Myers-is currently dealing with knee inflammation and is on the Injured List.

This scout has targeted two outfielders capable of improving the Padres offense in centerfield and right field.

Cedric Mullins-CF-Baltimore Orioles-Age 27-Bats Left

If the Padres can cobble together an attractive package of young players that includes pitching help, Baltimore Orioles centerfielder Cedric Mullins would be a consequential acquisition for San Diego.

Mullins was a 13th round draft pick of the Orioles in 2015 out of Campbell University in North Carolina.

An All Star in 2021 when he had a career season, Mullins hit 30 home runs, drove in 59 and hit .291/.360/.518/.878 for Baltimore. He stole 30 bases and scored 91 runs.

He uses every inch of power in his compact, but strong, 5-8, 175 pound frame.

After a slow start, Mullins has really been heating up.

Mullins is currently hitting .256/.317/.383/.700 with 7 homers, 36 RBIs, 49 runs scored and 19 stolen bases. Those numbers all reflect recent improvement.

Mullins is a quality defensive outfielder, capable of chasing down balls in the vast outfields he would see in the National League West. His terrific speed, outstanding instincts, and proper routes would be welcome in centerfield. Grisham is an excellent centerfielder as well, but Mullins would likely add a jolt to the offense.

With less than three years of MLB service time, Mullins is especially attractive because he won’t reach free-agency until 2026, meaning the Padres will have team control through his prime years.

Currently playing more competitive baseball, the Orioles need pitching help to continue their improvement. The Padres have the type of young pitching that can help the Orioles reach the next level. But will the Orioles make Mullins available? Would they consider trading either or both first baseman/outfielder Trey Mancini and/or Mullins? The Orioles have serious decisions to make prior to the trade deadline.

The Orioles are playing much better baseball lately, and part of their surge is due to Mullins returning to his normal, high-quality game.

MLBPipeline.com lists the Padres having five pitchers in the team’s Top 30 prospects that have reached at least AA in their development. Perhaps a package featuring those pitchers as the focal point would be attractive to Baltimore.

Garrett Cooper-1B/OF-Miami Marlins-Age 31-Bats Right

Looking at another potential outfielder that might be available on the trade market, Miami Marlins first baseman/outfielder Garrett Cooper makes sense.

Cooper has been playing first base exclusively this year, but he has played both left and right fields for the Marlins in his career.

Out of Auburn University, the Milwaukee Brewers drafted Cooper in the 6th round in 2013.

The Brewers traded Cooper to the New York Yankees in July 2017 for pitcher Tyler Webb. The Yankees then traded Cooper in November of the same year to the Marlins for pitchers Caleb Smith and Michael King.

When evaluating him after he was drafted, here are some of this scout’s notes about Cooper: “Big and strong, but lots of swing and miss in his game. Raw power could play. Projects to improve contact and become a good hitter, capable of spraying the ball. Agile and smooth defender, with a solid chance to play major league quality defense.”

Cooper spent parts of eight seasons in minor league development. He earned his major league debut with the New York Yankees in July 2017.

Fast forward to this season, and Garrett Cooper has become a National League All Star.

Cooper earned his way to the July 19 All Star game by replacing injured Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper at designated hitter.

As MLB entered the All Star break, Cooper was hitting .283/.349/.434/.783 with 7 homers, 40 RBIs, 28 runs scored and 0 stolen bases.

At 6-5, 235 pounds, Cooper has a big frame with plenty of power, which is an attractive tool the Padres need.

Cooper’s salary is $2.5M. He can become a free agent in 2024.

Conclusions:

The San Diego Padres had high hopes of overtaking the Los Angeles Dodgers as the season began.

Now, at the All Star break, the Padres seem to be running in place and losing ground.

They could choose to churn their roster at the trade deadline for bullpen help, or a new catcher. To this observer, however, they need offensive help in the outfield.

All Star outfielder and 2022 All Star Home Run Derby Champion Juan Soto may be available on the trade market. If they can’t land Soto, this writer suggests the Padres consider a trade for either Baltimore Orioles Cedric Mullins or Miami Marlins Garrett Cooper, if either is available.

If they wish to catch the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Padres will likely have to be active in upgrading their offense.