MLB insider outlines top trade targets for San Diego Padres

Sitting 6.5 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers entering MLB games today, the San Diego Padres may not be able to stake claim to the NL West lead, but they’re still one of the best teams in the National League. Yet, at 37-35, Mike Shildt’s team has plenty of room for improvement.

Just under halfway through the season, the Padres have a lot of time to further their status as a playoff contender after missing the postseason a year ago. That could include making a splash ahead of MLB’s July 30 trade deadline.

Recently, The Athletic’s Jim Bowden outlined a trio of positional trade targets he expects the Padres to focus on this summer, and he even named several targets for each position. Let’s break them down.

Bowden suggests the Padres will be shopping for an “impact” starting pitcher, right-handed relief pitcher, and upgrades to their bench depth.