The Padres need a center fielder for 2024. After jettisoning Trent Grisham to New York in the Juan Soto trade, the club could use a steady fielder to station next to Fernando Tatís Jr.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Twins could be listening to trade offers for veteran outfielder Max Kepler. While it's unclear if he is available in a trade, Dennis Lin of the Athletic sees Kepler as a possible target for the Friars.
Potentially feasible trade targets include Max Kepler, Anthony Santander and Seth Brown, but this might not be a long list, either.
A true rental, Kepler, 30, is set to hit the free agent market next year as an unrestricted free agent. However, the Twins would be selling high in a market with few available options at the position.
Since making his MLB debut in 2016, Kepler has been, at worst, a league-average bat with above-average defense. In 2023, he slashed .260/.332/.816 with 24 home runs in 130 games. Those are his best numbers since the 2019 season, when he slugged 36 home runs.
In Minnesota, Kepler plays mostly right field in an outfield with defensive stalwarts Byron Buxton and Michael A. Taylor. In more than 1,100 career innings in center field, Kepler has graded out slightly above average according to Defensive Runs Saved.
The Padres' front office and coaching staff would likely see Kepler as a better fit in center field with Fernando Tatis Jr. expected to continue to build upon his Gold Glove season in right field.
Being a free agent in 2025 would certainly lower any return the Twins could ask for Kepler. The Padres have depth in their farm system to trade for a player like Kepler — they now have six top-100 prospects, according to MLB.com — and certainly have the positional need.
More must-reads: