Padres can address urgent outfield need thanks to Fernando Tatis Jr. originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The San Diego Padres are heading towards the 2026 MLB trade deadline with a very clear need for more offensive firepower.
Manny Machado, Jackson Merrill, and Xander Bogaerts have all been massively disappointing this season, leading to their 37-35 record.
With an urgent need for more offense this summer, The Athletic’s Tim Britton revealed how the Padres can address that need, thanks in part to the flexibility of Tatis in the field.
How Padres can address OF need thanks to Fernando Tatis
“Ramon Laureno’s likely season-ending hip surgery, combined with Tatis’ versatility and the uncertainty in the aftermath of Jake Cronenworth’s concussion, does open the door to add an outfielder to the mix,” Britton writes.
Britton named the Padres as the No. 1 most urgent team in need of more batters at this year’s trade deadline. It makes sense, considering how their offense ranks dead-last with a .649 OPS this season.
They’ve also scored the fewest runs (277) in MLB this season. It’s very clear this team needs more offense, and the best way to do so might be in the outfield.
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Merrill and Tatis currently have outfield spots locked down, but it wouldn’t be hard for the Padres to add an outfielder to replace Tatis, move him back to second base with the uncertain future for Cronenworth amid his concussion.
San Diego must add offense at this year’s trade deadline if they have any hope of contending, and someone like Jarren Duran would make a lot of sense.
Luis Arraez could work as well if the Padres elect to go infield instead of outfield, but some other notable outfield trade targets include Jo Adell, Taylor Ward, and Mickey Moniak.
With Lauerano potentially out for the rest of the year, and with Tatis’ flexibility to play at second base, the Padres and A.J. Preller should be exploring outfield additions this summer to help their league-worst offense.
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