Aj Preller is a madman. There’s no way around it. Heading into deadline day, the San Diego Padres had yet to make a trade. Rumors began circulating that the Friars were attempting to make massive moves, and they did not disappoint. Many insiders believed that Preller would both buy and sell, but instead, Preller went all in and traded practically his entire farm system.
Grading Every Padres’ Trade
Mason Miller and JP Sears
One of the biggest deadline trades ever that saw MLB Pipeline’s number three prospect, Leo De Vries, as well as three highly regarded pitching prospects in Braden Nett, Henry Baez, and Eduarniel Nunez, sent to the Athletics. Of all of the deals, this is the most questionable value-wise and most controversial. There’s no doubt Miller is among the best relievers in the game, but trading a potential superstar shortstop is a steep price tag. Part of the reason his price tag was so high is that he will not reach free agency until after the 2029 season. Sears is a solid back-of-the-rotation starter with a career 4.48 ERA. The Padres came into the deadline with the best bullpen. In my opinion, this was a drastic overpay that could bite the Padres in the future.
Grade: D-
Freddy Fermín
There weren’t many in the Friar Faithful who didn’t feel that the Padres could use an upgrade at the catcher position. While they got one, it does feel like another overpay with the Padres giving up starters Ryan Bergert and Stephen Kolek in the deal. Both those pitchers had been important contributors with multiple seasons of team control. Fermín grades out well defensively, but with only a career .697 OPS, the Padres will need him to improve at the plate.
Grade: C-
Ryan O’Hearn and Ramón Laureano
Alright, now onto the deals I like. O’Hearn was the top player on my Padres’ wishlist. Getting him and Laureno is one of the best possible upgrades the Padres could have made this deadline. Honestly, I would have been more than satisfied if this were the only deal made. The Friars parted ways with prospects Boston Bateman, Brandon Butterworth, Cobb Hightower, Victor Figueroa, Tyson Neighbors, and Tanner Smith. They gave up a significant amount of capital, but landed impact bats for the lineup without giving up any top 100 prospects.
O’Hearn is the lefty bat the Friars desperately needed, and he’s having the best year of his career. He’s posted a .837 OPS, has even better advanced numbers, and has played excellent defense at first base. The former Oriole has been one of the best contact hitters in the game this season and looks to be a catalyst in the heart of the Padres’ order.
Laureano fills San Diego’s other biggest need in left field. He’s another guy having a career year, as the righty has a .559 slugging percentage and an expected OPS over .900. If he can retain that power at Petco Park, this deal should be well worth it for the Padres side.
Grade: A+
Will Wagner
While Wagner struggled to put it together for the Royals this season, he was terrific in limited at-bats with a .788 OPS last year. The infielder is only 27 years old and will be a bench piece for the Friars. All they had to give up in the deal was longtime catching prospect Brandon Valenzuela. If Wagner’s bat plays at the MLB level, this deal should be solid for San Diego.
Grade: B+
Nestor Cortes and Jorge Quintana
Preller pulled this deal off at the buzzer. Lockridge was traded for Cortes, Quintana, and cash. While it’s probably the smallest deal he made, the value is there. It was unlikely for Lockridge to ever get a legit shot on the MLB roster. Meanwhile, Cortes is coming off a good season with the Yankees, where he put up a 3.77 ERA in 174.1 innings. He’s a great addition to the depth of the rotation. Quintana is a switch-hitting 18-year-old shortstop who has flashed potential with his .747 OPS in Brewers rookie ball.
Grade: A+
World Series or Bust?
If this doesn’t qualify for going all in, I don’t know what does. There were 22 players involved in Padres trades today. Insanity! As it stands, the Padres have a legitimate shot to win the NL West as they are only three games behind the Dodgers. With one of the easiest remaining schedules in the MLB and two series against Los Angeles, they control their destiny.
San Diego needs its first championship. No matter how you feel about these trades or how they turn out, AJ Preller has put the Padres in a spot where their roster is talented enough to win it all. A lot of these guys won’t be back next year, and the team isn’t getting any younger…it’s World Series or bust in America’s Finest City.
Padres’ AJ Preller Going All In with Insane Trade Deadline