Padres stay busy at trade deadline, add coveted power bat

The San Diego Padres are teetering between contention and another disappointing campaign. They're sitting just three games above the Cincinnati Reds for the NL's final playoff spot while also trailing the first-place Dodgers by the same number in the NL West. However, ahead of the trade deadline, the Padres have made it known that they aren't satisfied with just a wild-card berth this season. 

After sending over the franchise's No. 3 prospect to acquire dynamic closer Mason Miller and back-end starter JP Sears from the Athletics, San Diego's pitching staff was bolstered. But the Padres recently proved that improving on that side of the ball wasn't their only priority.

To further boost their championship aspirations, the Padres have acquired All-Star first baseman Ryan O'Hearn and outfielder Ramon Laureano from the Baltimore Orioles, reports ESPN's Jeff Passan. 

While the Padres' everyday first basemen, Luis Arraez, boasts one of MLB's top batting averages, O'Hearn brings a much-needed power presence to a team that is currently 29th in home runs. The 32-year-old has mashed 13 home runs and driven in 43 RBI while hitting .283/.374/.463.

Laureano is also in the middle of a renaissance campaign, as the veteran outfielder already has 15 home runs and 46 RBI with .290/.355/.529 batting splits. O'Hearn may be the prize of the deal for San Diego, but Laureano has proved to be a reliable slugger this year, as well. 

Baltimore's full return from the deal remains unclear, but The Athletic's Dennis Lin reported that pitcher Boston Bateman and infielder Brandon Butterworth are among the prospects who are being sent to the Orioles in the deal.

In his first season in the minors, 19-year-old Bateman has gone 5-5 with a 4.08 ERA in 68.1 innings pitched in Single-A this season. Butterworth, meanwhile, has spent his 2025 season in High-A, where he's hit 11 home runs and driven in 46 RBI while slashing .267/.327/.455. Neither ranked inside the Padres' top 30 prospects.

While the clear benefit of adding O'Hearn is his impressive power, his addition also gives the Padres more versatility in their lineups. Arraez can operate from nearly any infield position, while O'Hearn can shift to right field when needed, as well. The Padres will have to figure out which lineup works best for them, but the team certainly won't have a lack of options.