Ranking the Padres' most realistic trade pieces 

Let's rank five of those players and the chances that they could realistically be traded before the 2025 season.

5. SS Xander Bogaerts

The Athletic's Jim Bowden suggested that the Padres could attach a top prospect to any package involving the star shortstop, provided that another team pay down most of his salary.

Given Bogaerts' colossal 11-year, $280 million contract and his full no-trade clause, a deal is unlikely to occur here. Nonetheless, this could be an intriguing storyline to follow.

4. RHP Robert Suarez

The Padres closer has a team-friendly contract (five years, $46 million) that could be moved in the right deal. The reliever market in free agency has thinned out, which could represent an opportunity for San Diego to dangle its best high-leverage bullpen arm (2.77 ERA, 36 saves in 2024). 

However, no concrete rumors have surfaced to this point, and the Padres don't need to rush into a trade by any means. 

3. INF Luis Arraez

Arraez is a three-time batting champion in both the American and National League and has been connected to several teams in trade talks this offseason, including both New York baseball clubs.

The 27-year-old infielder is one of the best contact hitters in the sport (career .323 hitter), but that's about all he can offer. Therefore, his appeal is limited, even with his versatility in the field (though he is not a strong defender at any one position). 

Arraez is set to hit free agency after the 2025 season. 

2. RHP Michael King

Now, we get to the strong trade possibilities. 

Michael King's name has been surfacing in multiple trade rumors over the last few days and for good reason: His 2.95 ERA over 31 starts in 2024 makes him an attractive starting option for many contending teams in 2025.

It is worth noting that the Padres and King have agreed to a contract for 2025 that helps both sides avoid arbitration, making it less likely that the 29-year-old will be moved before the season. However, the Padres would be foolish not to continue listening to potential offers for King, especially given that he is headed for free agency after this season.

1. RHP Dylan Cease

Cease now appears to be the favorite to be moved out of all the players listed here. 

The 29-year-old right-hander, acquired just a year ago from the Chicago White Sox, finds himself back on the trade block despite an excellent 3.47 ERA over 33 starts in 2024.

Cease, like King, is in the final year of arbitration, meaning that the Padres have to trade him now or at this summer's deadline to fetch some kind of return before the veteran starter hits the open market at the end of this season.