Padres’ perfect trade offer for Giants’ Robbie Ray

Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Padres’ perfect trade offer for Giants’ Robbie Ray

Originally posted on MLB on ClutchPoints
By Bailey Bassett, ClutchPoints | Last updated May 19, 2026 5:13 PM ET

The San Diego Padres have spent much of the 2026 season in first place in the National League West. Right now, they are 29-18, and only leading the Los Angeles Dodgers by half a game. Their divisional rival has struggled some recently, and San Diego needs to keep their foot on the gas because the back-to-back champions can get hot at any given time.

It can be argued that the Padres’ early success has been somewhat fluky. They are last in team batting average (.223), and they’ve been overly reliant on late-game comebacks. While Mason Miller is dominant, the team’s reliance on their closer likely isn’t sustainable. Miller’s ERA is 0.82, and fellow relievers Jason Adam (1.15), Yuki Matsui (0.00), Bradgley Rodriguez (1.59), Wandy Peralta (2.53), and Jeremiah Estrada (3.29) have all been great, too.

The Padres need to be better early on in games, though. That starts with the offense, but the team already has a bunch of big-name batters. The hope is that Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts, and Jackson Merrill will be better. The best route to improving the rotation will be via the trade market, though. Robbie Ray is one starter who has already been mentioned as a trade fit, so what would a deal to the Padres look like?

Padres’ trade package for Robbie Ray

Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

San Diego Padres receive: Robbie Ray

San Francisco Giants receive: Kale Fountain (Padres prospect No. 8), Garrett Hawkins (No. 12), Truitt Madonna (No. 22)

Part of San Diego’s problems when it comes to their starting pitchers stems from the fact that the unit has been ravaged by injuries. German Marquez, Jhony Brito, Joe Musgrove, and Nick Pivetta are all on the injured list right now, and Yu Darvish is sitting out the season. Michael King and Randy Vasquez have played well, but Griffin Canning and Walker Buehler have really struggled this year.

Ray is one of the top pitchers on the trading block. The San Francisco Giants might blow things up, and the 2021 Cy Young winner is a prime candidate to be moved because he is on an expiring deal. The two-time All-Star has a 3.04 ERA through nine appearances this season. Plus, he’d provide San Diego with a much-needed lefty arm. The Padres’ rotation is filled with righties.

Ray throws a mid-90s fastball, and he has great command of his slider. Considering he is 34 years old and a free agent at season’s end, he shouldn’t cost too much in the trade market, either. A few prospects, none of which are among San Diego’s best, could be enough to get the deal done. The Padres have been willing to give up youngsters for veterans in the past, so they should be aggressive in pursuing Ray.

Despite his status as a star, Ray has already played for five different teams throughout the course of his career. He’d have no problem adjusting to hurling for a new team yet again. The Padres have found success this year despite starting pitching issues, so they’d be really scary with Ray on the roster.

This article first appeared on MLB on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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