As the Padres finished off a three-game sweep of the New York Mets with a 5-0 shutout victory at Petco Park on Wednesday afternoon, all eyes and attention turned to A.J. Preller. With less than 24 hours left until the trade deadline at 6:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, the dubbed ‘madman’ of GM’s is at the center of multiple moves that possibly involve All-Star players. 

The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey, along with Dennis Lin and Ken Rosenthal, are reporting that San Diego is still in pursuit of Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran. Despite multiple reports suggesting the 2024 All-Star was off the market, McCaffrey cites one National League evaluator who noted that Preller’s “aggressiveness” is a reason he felt a deal could get done.

With Boston perhaps switching their attention to rental starters on the trade market, the Padres’ Dylan Cease might be of interest. Sean McAdam of MassLive recently wrote that a proposal for Duran which included Cease, catching prospect Ethan Salas, and a prospect was quickly rejected by the Sox. A caveat to consider is shortstop Leo De Vries, San Diego’s No. 1 overall prospect who is ranked No. 3 by MLB Pipeline. If Preller were to offer up the prized 18 year-old who is slashing .245/.357/.410 this season at Single-A Fort Wayne, it might be difficult for Craig Breslow to pass up on the offer.

Cleveland Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan is another name who could be dealt by Thursday. Kwan, 27, would come with two and a half years of club control if traded this season. The All-Star is so far a lifetime .285 hitter and could make for an interesting combination alongside three-time batting champ Luis Arraez in San Diego’s lineup.

NL West in battle brewing for All-Star OF Steven Kwan. Padres and Dodgers (and maybe others outside the division)

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 31, 2025

The Padres are in much need of an everyday left fielder. Either one of Duran or Kwan would give them one of baseball’s best outfield trios. A.J. Preller will have to get creative or part with multiple top prospects in any such move. 

Could the ‘Four Horsemen’ add a fifth?

Padres skipper Mike Shildt and pitching coach Ruben Niebla possess one of, if not the game’s best high-leverage arsenal. Right-hander Jeremiah Estrada is electric and the All-Star trio of Adrian Morejon, Jason Adam, and closer Robert Suarez are a feared foursome any club would covet. As of Wednesday evening, reports have emerged that the Padres are in talks with the Athletics surrounding flame-throwing righty Mason Miller. 

Miller burst onto the scene in 2023 with a wipeout slider and a fastball that reaches over triple digits. He’s pitching to a 3.76 ERA this season with 59 strikeouts and 20 saves. It’s interesting to wonder what purpose Miller would serve to an already daunting Friar bullpen. Could he serve as Robert Suarez’s setup man? Could he close? The Padres are entertaining offers on Suarez to perhaps use a return to fill roster needs. Expectation according to league executives is that Major League Baseball’s saves leader will test the open market in the offseason. 

If San Diego pulls the trigger on a trade of Suarez, Miller could step in to the closer’s role. But a five-man arsenal of that caliber easily shortens games, especially in the postseason. Without a doubt, the hours leading up to the deadline will become increasingly hectic. Leave it to A.J. Preller to add to the madness.