The San Diego Padres are in contention to secure a postseason berth this October, and they intend to add another bat to the lineup before the July 31 trade deadline. The futility of the bottom third of the batting order has caused the Padres’ offense to appear to be stuck in the mud.
The Friar Faithful are frustrated by the lineup’s inconsistency in producing with runners in scoring position, and some can no longer mask their feelings. It has prompted Padres president of baseball operations and general
manager A.J. Preller to search for ways to improve the team’s offensive attack.
A lineup change is necessary
The frustration with the bottom of the order is that it is too passive with the bases loaded. Instead, they need to be more aggressive earlier in the count. Good, consistent hitters are more selective and rarely fall into bad habits, such as expanding the strike zone that fails to take advantage of a struggling pitcher.
Offensively, you want a higher on-base percentage from your bottom-of-the-lineup hitters during potential run-scoring at-bats. Preller must find a hitter who can put his bat squarely on the ball and increase the team’s run total.
Sheets’ bat more valuable than his glove
Gavin Sheets’ days might be numbered as an outfielder, especially if Preller deals for an every day left fielder. He would move back to the DH role, as Sheets has been a valuable run-producer (14 HRs and 52 RBIs) in the middle of the batting order. He is hitting .253/.314/.424 with a .738 OPS.
Phillies and Padres are among many teams interested in Kwan https://t.co/IwYmE1Hard
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 23, 2025
The Friars have been linked to Boston Red Sox Jarren Duran and Cleveland Guardians Steven Kwan as outfield replacements. But the options have widened with the possibility of Atlanta Braves Marcell Ozuna becoming available.
He is hitting .235/.360/.389 with a .749 OPS. Ozuna fills a massive void at the DH position since Sheets moved to the outfield. The Padres DH hitters ranked 29th in the league with a -1.5 WAR. The Braves might be compelled to move Ozuna before the deadline, but he would have to approve a trade given his 10-and-5 rights. It allows Ozuna to pick his next MLB destination.
If Preller acquires a DH bat, the Friar Faithful should not be concerned. Sheets’ defense has improved, but he still has trouble cutting the ball off in the gap and preventing the hitter from taking an extra base. Padres skipper Mike Shildt’s confidence is growing with Sheets because he can still make all the routine plays. However, Bryce Johnson will remain as his defensive replacement late in close games.
What will the batting order look after July 31
The addition of another bat will put Shildt into a bit of a quandary, in terms of settling on a batting order. He should leave the top of the lineup intact. But, before getting ahead of ourselves, we must wait to see what type of hitter Preller acquires.
Will they be a good contact hitter or the classic power hitter? Regardless of their makeup, the Friars’ lineup must show improvement in scoring more runs.
Preller has no plans to move the organization’s top two prospects (Ethan Salas and Leo De Vries) in any trade deadline deal. The farm system is strong at the lower levels. It may be a hurdle that limits Preller’s ability to counter competing offers for a desired bat.
The Padres will not stand pat; Preller will attempt to acquire a proven run-producer before the trade deadline. It is too early to say whether it will be a leftfielder or DH. He needs to determine which option offers greater value to the lineup.
Now, we wait to see who Preller brings into the fold.
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