MLB insider believes surprise Padres trade piece could shape deadline | rssama.com

Once thought to beryllium a morganatic National League powerhouse, nan San Diego Padres person fallen backmost down to world complete nan past period and a half.

After defeating nan Chicago Cubs 10-4 connected April 14, nan Padres possessed an MLB-best 14-3 record, two-and-a-half games up of nan defended champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Since that date, however, nan Padres person gone a alternatively pedestrian 21-22, falling a crippled backmost of nan Dodgers and into nan 2nd wild-card position. 

The Padres are by nary intends successful threat of losing their postseason standing, but different period of .500 shot could unit them to measure their waste and acquisition deadline ideology, particularly successful a stacked National League. If nan Padres do take to sell, they person a postulation of charismatic pending free agents Dylan Cease, Robert Suarez, and Luis Arraez, but their astir valuable plus whitethorn beryllium starting pitcher Michael King, who has a communal action for nan 2026 season. Though King has been retired since May 18 pinch a enarthrosis injury, he has followed up his breakout 2024 run pinch a 2.59 ERA done his first 10 starts, and The Athletic’s Chad Jennings believes he has nan talent to style nan Major League Baseball waste and acquisition deadline.

“The Padres don’t look for illustration sellers astatine nan moment, but if this period goes poorly, they person nan assets to flood, they person nan assets to flood nan waste and acquisition marketplace pinch incredibly valuable rentals,” Jennings wrote.

Even if nan Padres don’t go evident sellers, they could usage King’s steep worth to reside immoderate of nan different holes connected their roster, specifically astatine catcher and first base. After all, wide head A.J. Preller has a inclination to deliberation extracurricular nan box, arsenic evidenced by nan Juan Soto waste and acquisition that acquired King successful nan first place. 

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