The Trade Deadline is a special time of year for San Diego Padres fans. It seems that General Manager A.J. Preller has made it his mission to trade as many players as he can every year. He proved that last year when he traded away 14 players at the 2025 Deadline.

In doing so, the Padres’ farm system was wrecked. But their window of contention continues to fade away as players get older. This might be one of the last years they have a solid chance at winning it all, and it’s possible Preller goes all in once again.

With that in mind, here are four trade candidates (in order of least to most likely) that could be on the block come August 3. 

Fernando Tatis Jr.

After enduring an offseason of ridiculous trade rumors, it’s time to put this to bed. Fernando Tatis Jr. will not be traded from the Padres. To do so would be irrational and irresponsible of the front office, no matter what the haul for him is.

Tatis represents so much more than just a star. He’s a beloved player in San Diego and the heart and soul of this team. The Friar Faithful has watched him grow up from an arrogant kid getting publicly berated by Manny Machado into a real clubhouse leader.

Beyond that, he’s a perennial All-Star in right field and seems poised to, one day, put together a truly MVP-caliber season. If the Padres want to win, they cannot trade Tatis away. Even if the deal was ‘worth it,’ it would have the opposite effect on the group: leaving a massive gap on the roster that would be near-impossible to fill.

Ramón Laureano

At the 2025 Trade Deadline, Preller swung a surprise trade for Baltimore Orioles star Ryan O’Hearn and breakout journeyman Ramón Laureano. Though O’Hearn was the headliner of that deal, Laureano produced better in San Diego.

He played 50 games for San Diego after being traded and ended the season with an .812 OPS. When the season ended, O’Hearn became a free agent, but Laureano had a $6.5 million club option for 2026. The Padres quickly picked him up, and he figures to be their starting left fielder this year.

Could AJ Preller trade outfielder Ramon Laureano in the final year of his contract?Feb 23, 2026; Peoria, Arizona, USA; San Diego Padres right fielder Ramon Laureano (5) chases down a two run triple by Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Jett Williams (76) in the first inning at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

But left field is a tricky position, with most Major League Baseball teams not having a solid starter. With this being the final year before Laureano walks, Preller may want to get something for him at the Deadline. 

But if Laureano builds on the career year he had last season (.281/.342/.512 slash line), he may be too important for San Diego’s playoff run if they’re still contending in August.

Jake Cronenworth

It seems like almost every Padres offseason begins with Cronenworth trade rumors and ends with him staying as a starter in San Diego. 

Entering the third year of his seven-year extension, Cronenworth has been a serviceable bat and an above-average defender. Throughout his time in San Diego, the lefty has hit .247/.335/.406 with a wRC+ of 109 (just above league average). 

With there being a premium on defensively elite infielders, Cronenworth is a bargain on his contract. But he’s worth just enough where it gets uncomfortable with how little he produces.

Is this finally the year perennial trade candidate Jake Cronenworth gets traded?Mar 9, 2026; Peoria, Arizona, USA; San Diego Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth (9) bats against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

There are intangibles to that. He’s a tough out, seeing an average of 4.001 pitches per plate appearance. Comparing that to the league average of 3.8, it marks an ability to force pitchers to throw more (even without getting on base). That could tire starters out and get them out of the game sooner over time. 

But this could be the year that Cronenworth is finally traded. He’s a fan favorite in San Diego, so it would be sad to see him go. However, if it can improve the Friars and put them on a course to win it all, the longtime Padre may be on the outs.

Bradgley Rodriguez

Here’s the big one. Preller has shown in the past how much he loves to trade away prospects that flash any potential. And Bradgley Rodriguez has shown plenty. 

In 7 â…” innings of work last season, he finished with a 1.17 ERA and 0.91 WHIP. Limiting opponents to a .160 batting average. Those kinds of numbers might not stay across a full season of work, but they raise eyebrows.

Bradgley Rodriguez could be used as a trade chip for the Padres this offseason.Sep 26, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres relief pitcher Bradgley Rodriguez (72) throws a pitch during the sixth inning Arizona Diamondbacks at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images

San Diego has one of the deepest and most elite bullpens in the game, and to remove a young flamethrower from it wouldn’t hurt them as much as it would another team. Rodriguez is much more valuable to many other teams, where he could flourish in a closer role with other clubs.

Whether or not he gets traded is a bigger question. It’s possible that the trigger-happy Preller might be tired of dealing prospects and will hold onto most of his chips at the Deadline. Or he could go into a frenzy all over again and empty the farm system once more. 

If the Padres are in contention for a World Series run, you can bet on the latter.


Main Photo Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images