Padres ready to roll after addressing needs at trade deadline

It wasn’t like the San Diego Padres were disappointed with their success thus far as the 2025 season heats up in the dog days of August. They currently occupy second place in the NL West, only a few games behind the mighty Los Angeles Dodgers, and would qualify for a wild card berth in the playoffs if the campaign ended today. But now that the MLB trade deadline has come and gone, the Friars have greatly improved the possibilities of going deep again in the post season tournament.

For A.J. Preller, the super scout who sits in San Diego’s GM chair, this is the time of year when he shines the most. While the Padres made a few significant moves last winter, most notably gaining the services of former Red Sox pitcher Nick Pivetta, there were no earth-shaking additions. Ditto the days prior to the deadline. But in the final hours, Preller’s phone blew up after a series of transactions involving five teams and 22 players. Looking to correct weaknesses in left field, catching and starting pitching, the Friars took care of those needs and more. In case you haven’t heard, here are the details.

Padres receive sluggers Ryan O’Hearn and Ramon Laureano from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for a package of six minor leaguers. However, four of those players are ranked inside the top 30 list of MLB prospects.

Padres receive pitchers Mason Miller and J.P. Sears from the Sacramento A’s for #3 MLB prospect Leo De Vries and four other minor league players.

Padres receive veteran catcher Freddy Fermin from the Kansas City Royals for major league pitchers Stephen Kolek and Ryan Bergert.

Padres obtain starting pitcher Nestor Cortes and infielder Jose Quintana from the Milwaukee Brewers for major league outfielder Brandon Lockridge.

Padres get backup major league infielder Will Wagner from the Toronto Blue Jays for catching prospect Brandon Valenzuela.

The most sketchy of all those deals involved O’Hearn, a 32 year old first baseman making over eight million dollars and in his walk year with Baltimore. But the guy Preller clearly wanted was Laureano, a five tool player who could shore up left field and patrol the San Diego outfield with Jackson Merrill and Fernando Tatis Jr. And at the plate, the Dominican veteran adds speed and power to an already potent offense. What’s more, Laureano makes only half the money O’Hearn does and has an option year for 2026 on his deal.

Miller, a bullpen ace who recorded 20 saves this season with the A’s, is also an interesting piece of the puzzle. He consistently serves up pitches clocked at 101 to 103 miles per hour, not to mention a wipeout slider. Miller’s addition clearly makes San Diego’s pen the best among all 30 major league teams. But Preller had hoped that Sears, a southpaw starter, would give the Padres more versatility on that front. But his first start as a Padre was a bust, and afterwards was sent to AAA El Paso to iron things out.

Freddy Fermin could be the most curious pickup of all, especially since Preller sent two backend starting pitchers to the Royals to get him. Fermin, 30, has been the backup catcher to Salvador Perez in Kansas City for several years. A future HOF candidate after he retires, Perez has taken Fermin under his wing. Both men are from Venezuela and Preller, using his instincts and fluent in Spanish, rolled the dice and wants Freddy to be the starting catcher in San Diego. As a result, Elias Diaz, who has been swinging a hot bat of late, has been reduced to a bench role and veteran Martin Maldonado was designated for assignment. I must say however, that Fermin works hard, has clutched up on defense and at the plate. And perhaps most importantly, he is well liked and fits in with this group of players.

What’s clear is that if the Padres are going to achieve their goal of playing in the World Series, and they have come very close in recent years, this club must have enough quality starting pitchers. On that front, things are improving. Forget about local hero Joe Musgrove until 2026, although he’s on a throwing program and travels with the team. But Yu Darvish is back in the rotation and Michael King is off the IL and also ready to go after a rehab start. Rumors that Dylan Cease would be traded are over and Pivetta has been outstanding all season. Then on the back end, Cortes and Randy Vasquez are excellent candidates.

Executives like Preller understand that manager Mike Shildt has a special bond with his players, and team chemistry is his number one desire. That’s why pitchers like Cease, who has struggled at times but has looked better recently, wants to remain a Padre when his deal expires at the end of this season. That’s why players like Fermin and Laureano are a perfect fit for Shildt and the ship’s captain Manny Machado. They understand that San Diego is a special place to play, and that every game at Petco Park is a sellout and party atmosphere.

“This is the best fan base in baseball, right here,” says Shildt in a frequently aired promo commercial.

Maybe that’s why the Padres desperately hope to be one of the teams that make it to the big dance in October. That would be the ultimate reward for the San Diego community.

The post Padres ready to roll after addressing needs at trade deadline first appeared on Through The Fence Baseball.

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