Three targets for Padres GM A.J. Preller at trade deadline

Padres general manager A.J. Preller is one of the craftiest executives in professional sports. He went against public opinion to sign Manny Machado, twice. And he did the same in trading Juan Soto... twice.

In 2024 alone, Preller added Dylan Cease and Luis Arraez, the latter move coming as a league-wide surprise. With San Diego squarely in the Wild Card hunt, Preller is now looking to make a splash at the deadline. However, there will be unique obstacles to overcome.

Preller has sent a ton of prospect capital out of town. While the farm is by no means barren, it is top-heavy. Plus, there are eight teams within 3.0 games of the final NL playoff spot (owned by the Padres at the time of this writing) so there might not be as many sellers this year. 

There are a few things we know for certain.

One is the Padres are in the market for pitching. Lots and lots of pitching. It doesn't matter if it's starters or relievers; San Diego needs arms. Length in the rotation would be great, but San Diego could also look to cover innings on the back end. If there's an impact arm on the market, expect Preller to be interested.

The Padres have a solid lineup and get Xander Bogaerts back from a shoulder fracture in the second half. Catcher, outfield depth and maybe a top-flight DH would make sense as additions.

But the final issue leaves Preller threading the needle if he wants to make a series of upgrades.

The Padres are, according to Spotrac, about $9 million under the CBT tax, something they're desperate to reset. That means no Pete Alonso talk in 2024. 

With all that in mind here are three legitimate targets for the Friars:

1. LHP Yusei Kikuchi, TOR

Expiring contracts are going to be attractive because the other team won't have the leverage to ask about Ethan Salas, the top catching prospect in baseball who may be as untouchable as any prospect has ever been. Kikuchi is effective and affordable since any acquiring team will only be on the hook for around $5 million. The Friars don't have a single left-handed starter on their roster so Kikuchi should be on their radar.

2. OF Randy Arozarena, TB

Preller loves athleticism, tools, and a reclamation project. Arozarena fits the bill. He's having the worst season of his career, but the prevailing thought is he's a "change-of-scenery" candidate. The Rays are in last place. Tropicana Field is a baseball dungeon. Arozarena is a guy who, as he's proven in the playoffs and the World Baseball Classic, is at his best in front of an audience. So the 40,000 fans stuffing Petco Park every night of the week could just turn him back into a superstar. Tampa Bay might balk at selling low on someone this talented, but they also might not have a choice.

3. RHP Mason Miller, OAK

This is the big one. The A's are going nowhere fast. But, their dominant closer is under control for five more seasons. So his value is sky-high right now. Somebody will have to make an extremely attractive offer to pry Miller away. Perhaps a four-player package centered around Padres right-hander Dylan Lesko, their No. 3 prospect, could be enough (if San Diego was willing to put forward another premium prospect).

If that came to fruition, the Padres would be able to have Robert Suarez handle the eighth inning, throwing 101 mph, and Miller coming out for the ninth throwing 103 mph.

Preller still has plenty of time to read the market and analyze his options. The MLB Trade Deadline is July 30 at 6:00 p.m. ET.