Padres reportedly eyeing pair of unlikely trade targets

General manager A.J. Preller is no stranger to finding creative ways to improve the San Diego Padres. His latest rumored trade targets would fall under that umbrella.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported that the Padres are eyeing a pair of unlikely trade targets - New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga and San Francisco Giants first baseman Rafael Devers. There is no indication as to how serious trade discussions have been.

Senga has battled injuries and ineffectiveness after a stellar first season stateside in 2023. He is generally considered to be one of the more untradable players in the majors due to his struggles. Senga has posted an 8.66 ERA and a 1.769 WHiP over his 44.2 innings for the Mets, striking out 53 batters with 32 walks and has allowed 12 homers.

Kodai Senga, Rafael Devers could be interesting buy-low options for San Diego Padres

Devers has been a solid power threat in the middle of the Giants' lineup. He entered Sunday having produced a .249/.322/.475 batting line in his 472 plate appearances, hitting 22 homers and 27 doubles. However, the Giants are reportedly looking to move on from his contract as Devers is still owed $225 million over the next seven years.

It is possible that Devers and/or Senga could help spark the Padres' playoff push. Senga could be viewed as a change-of-scenery candidate and a trade to San Diego could make a difference. Devers would add an impact bat to a team in need of a boost to the lineup.