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The 2026 season has not treated the San Diego Padres well recently, as they've dropped eight straight games and have dropped to 43-45 on the season.
While they're not out of things just yet, they're 15 games out of the NL West lead, and 5.0 back in the Wild Card hunt.
It would not be a surprise if San Diego made up some ground between now and August 3 and the MLB trade deadline, but things could get worse, too.
USA Today's Bob Nightengale shared some commentary on the Padres deadline plans, noting how A.J.
Preller and the Padres might have "no choice" but to wind up as sellers this season.
Padres might have 'no choice' but to sell at trade deadline "Now, with an underachieving team and a bloated payroll, AJ Preller may have no choice but to wave the white flag if their struggles continue," Nightengale writes.
This comment from Nightengale comes shortly after noting how the Padres haven't sold at the MLB trade deadline since 2019.
That streak might come to an end.
With how the season's gone overall, especially including this recent eight-game losing streak, selling at the MLB trade deadline on August 3 is looking a lot more feasible than ever before.
After spending so many prospects on players at the deadline for the last half-decade or so, it might finally be time to ship some veterans out to retool and compete in 2027 or even 2028.
While such an outcome wouldn't be ideal at all for this expensive Padres roster, if the team can't pick up the pace as July rolls along, Preller's only option might be to sell.
If they're well behind the Wild Card field by the end of July, it would be malpractice not to sell some of their players this summer.
Ty France, Miguel Andujar, Jake Cronenworth, Lucas Giolito, Griffin Canning, Walker Buehler, one of the many good relievers, and maybe even Xander Bogaerts or Fernando Tatis Jr.
would make sense as trade chips this season for the Padres.
They might not be a postseason team in 2026, but if Preller sells at the deadline in what's likely to be a seller's market, then there could at least be some positive takeaway from this lost season.
More MLB news: - Red Sox urged to sell at MLB trade deadline despite recent hot streak - 3 reasons why Braves are perfect fit for Tarik Skubal at MLB trade deadline - Blue Jays Max Scherzer problem has rotation as top trade deadline need - Aaron Nolas struggles might force Phillies to trade for a starting pitcher.