The San Diego Padres might be without star outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. until after the All-Star Break. Could they trade for a replacement?
Padres front office executive AJ Preller is known for being active at the MLB trade deadline. Although the team has less financial flexibility compared to when former owner Peter Seidler was alive, they still have plenty of assets and expect to make the playoffs this year.
This outlook changed when Fernando Tatis Jr. suffered a right femoral stress reaction and was placed on the 10-day injured list. There are indications that he could be out even longer.
Without Tatis Jr., who was slashing .279/.354/.468 with 14 home runs this season and had reduced his strikeout rate to a career low, the Padres lineup is significantly weaker. Currently, the Padres are using a platoon of David Peralta and Bryce Johnson to fill the void, but a more long-term solution might be found on the trade market.
One potential trade target for the Padres is Chicago White Sox corner outfielder Tommy Pham, who has previously played in San Diego. Pham is having a solid season, slashing .274/.341/.393 and providing above-average defense. While he cannot match Tatis Jr.’s production, Pham is affordable and can provide some stability.
The White Sox have already been scouting the farm systems of top contenders, including the Padres. Familiar with San Diego’s prospects from previous scouting and the Dylan Cease trade, this could be an easy match.
In a proposed trade, the White Sox might opt for quantity over quality, taking two prospects outside the Padres’ top-10 per MLB Pipeline. Wolf, who has MLB experience, could slot into the White Sox struggling rotation, while King Jr., despite being blocked by top-rated catchers in the Padres system, has talent and is just 20 years old.
This trade might not be perfect for either side but could help San Diego both in the short and long term.
