The MLB trade deadline is just over two days away, and the San Diego Padres have made it known that they are ready to engage in trade talks to help improve their roster.
San Diego sees themselves as a World Series contender. With this being said, Padres president of baseball operations, A.J. Preller, is ready to make some moves this week.
Some well-known names have popped up in trade talks. Players like pitchers Robert Suarez and Dylan Cease, as well as Luis Arraez, but what kind of assets could the Padres acquire?
One player who could help improve the Padres' batting lineup and defense could be Baltimore Orioles right fielder Ramon Laureano.
The 31-year-old outfielder has bounced around the league in the past two seasons, playing for the Cleveland Guardians and Atlanta Braves in 2024 and signing a one-year, $4 million deal with the Orioles this season with a $6.5 million club option in 2026.
He broke out in 2019 with the Athletics, but this season he's on pace for another career year. Through 79 games this season, he has a .279 batting average, .341 on-base percentage, and a .866 OPS while hitting 15 home runs and 46 RBI.
Laureano's contract would be significantly smaller if the Padres were to move Luis Arraez and his expiring $14 million he's owed this year. A trade like this would help the Padres move away from the luxury tax threshold.
Although he's playing right field for the Orioles, Laureano could help improve the Padres' need for a left fielder. Gavin Sheets is currently in the position, but his 0.2 WAR shows that San Diego should have him at the designated hitter spot, a position that Luis Arraez currently fills.