Padres 'aren't afraid' of trading top prospects at MLB trade deadline | Sporting News

In a tightly contested National League Wild Card race, the San Diego Padres are in danger of missing the postseason.

To avoid such a scenario, they need to add players at the MLB trade deadline.

To do so, the Padres, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today , are willing to part with their top prospects.

Amid the team's desire to compete and win a World Series, the front office is okay with using their prospects to land impact players this season.

"The Padres are spreading the word to every seller that they are searching for a right-handed hitting outfielder and a catcher," Nightengale writes, "And aren't afraid to deal their prospects." That willingness to spend comes from the Padres' belief in themselves and their team.

Nightengale pointed out how the Padres view the 2025 roster, and how competitive they will be come the postseason.

"They still believe they have the team to end their World Series drought, particularly with Yu Darvish's return and potentially Michael King." It's a major risk to mortgage the future for the Padres.

King and Dylan Cease are both set to be free agents after this season, and Luiz Arraez is also set to hit free agency after 2025.

Robert Suarez might depart as well.

Overall, there are a bunch of players leaving after the 2025 season, so if this year doesn't end well, the Padres could be looking at some resetting needed in the future.

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Preller and the front office believe the team has what it takes to win the World Series, it's a major hurdle for the current roster to get there.

The offense is lackluster, and the pitching is hurt.

They have needs in the rotation, at catcher, and in left field.

A lot needs to happen for the Padres to be viewed among the top contenders in the NL.

What makes things even more challenging is the Padres' current record.

Sitting at 47-41, the Padres are barely in a postseason spot.

The St.

Louis Cardinals and the San Francisco Giants are tied in winning percentage, and the Cincinnati Reds are just 1.5 games behind the Padres.

Any slip-ups in July, and the Padres could be on the outside looking in for a postseason hunt.

Buying, especially with their top prospects like Ethan Salas and Leo De Vries, could be a major problem if the players they land are rentals.

While a risk, according to Nightengale, it's one the Padres are not afraid of taking.

As the trade deadline approaches, the moves San Diego makes will be very interesting, as they could be among the most active teams at the deadline.

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