The San Diego Padres are once again at the center of MLB trade deadline speculation, with president of baseball operations AJ Preller known for consistently aggressive moves. Since 2015, Preller has moved on from six managers and eight lead hitting instructors, demonstrating his willingness to make major organizational changes.
San Diego has come crashing back to earth, dropping 8 of its last 10 games, and after a hot start, now finds itself eight games behind in the National League West. The team’s current issues are clear, as it ranks among the worst offensive clubs in baseball with a .644 OPS. On top of their offensive woes, the Padres also face concerns in their starting rotation, increasing pressure to pursue impact upgrades.
One of the biggest talking points is the status of top prospect Ethan Salas. Rival executives would likely view Salas as “relatively untouchable,” but under Preller, no player is fully off limits, according to The Athletic’s Dennis Lin. Lin also pointed out that San Diego has previously made significant deadline acquisitions while working with a strict budget and a depleted farm system. Some teams also believe the Padres could be willing to take on additional payroll this season.
Trade speculation has included Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, who is gaining traction around the league and is set to become a free agent after the season. In a proposal by ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel, San Diego would acquire Skubal and first baseman Spencer Torkelson. In return, the Padres would send catcher Ethan Salas, pitchers Kruz Schoolcraft and Bryan Balzer, and reliever Jeremiah Estrada to Detroit.
Torkelson is hitting .212 with nine home runs, 25 RBIs, and a .712 OPS this season. He also has two years of team control remaining and previously produced a breakout 2025 season with 31 home runs and a .789 OPS.
The suggested deal would involve trading both Salas and Schoolcraft, San Diego’s No. 1 and No. 2 prospects, for a rental in Skubal, raising questions about long-term value versus immediate impact. Skubal could be a game-changer for the Padres’ rotation, but the combination of assets required has prompted debate over whether the move would ultimately make sense.
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