The San Diego Padres are once again one of the most talked-about teams heading into the MLB trade deadline, and this year, they’re rumoured to be both buyers and sellers. While names like Jarren Duran and Marcell Ozuna have been linked to San Diego as potential additions, the team is also open to dealing players like Dylan Cease, Michael King, Robert Suarez, and Luis Arraez.
Despite that, it looks like general manager A.J. Preller is preparing to buy, particularly when it comes to starting pitching. According to The Athletic, the Padres have a serious interest in two big names on the market: Sandy Alcantara of the Miami Marlins and Zac Gallen of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Both Alcantara and Gallen have struggled mightily this season. Alcantara, who won the 2022 NL Cy Young Award, now has a 6.66 ERA and has allowed more earned runs than any pitcher in baseball. Gallen, often viewed as a solid No. 1 or No. 2 starter in recent years, holds a 5.58 ERA and has given up the most home runs in the National League this season.
These recent numbers might make them seem like risky targets, but their past performances, especially Alcantara’s dominant 2022 season and Gallen’s consistent form from 2022–2024, make them complicated trade pieces. Their current teams are expected to ask for returns based on what these pitchers used to be, not what they are now.
That’s where it gets tricky for the Padres. Normally, players with this kind of 2025 performance might be cheap or even cut candidates, but the names and past stats make them far more expensive in trade talks. The question for San Diego is: are these guys fixable, or are they just names at this point?
Despite the risks, it seems Preller remains interested, especially after getting an up-close look at Alcantara, who recently had a rough outing against the Padres. If San Diego believes Alcantara can bounce back, they may try to strike a deal for the former ace.
With just a week left before the deadline, expect the Padres to stay active. Whether they land a former Cy Young winner, deal away some of their own key pieces, or make a surprise move, all eyes will be on San Diego.