Padres Linked to $5 Million All-Star Outfielder in Trade Idea

The San Diego Padres are in the market for a left fielder as the MLB Trade Deadline draws near, and now a potential target has been identified.

The Padres' left field platoon is the worst in baseball according to multiple metrics — a clear weakness on the roster that could cost San Diego in the playoffs.

This season, the Friars look every bit the part of a World Series contender, playing well in all facets of the game and having firepower that can rival anyone in MLB.

More news:Padres Named Among Biggest Winners of Offseason, Further Proving AJ Preller's Greatness

The left field position, however, has killed the offensive momentum several times with untimely outs. Their performances, hitting-wise, are not even league average.

While they are providing solid defense, there is a total lack of confidence that a player in that position will manage to deliver when needed.

During the playoffs, runs are at a premium, making offense extremely valuable and hard to come by, requiring all batters being able to drive in a run.

Given the team's need, Jake Mintz, baseball writer for Yahoo Sports, listed left fielder Austin Hays from the Cincinnati Reds as a potential target for the Padres.

"The San Diego stars-and-scrubs fantasy team rolls on. Padres outfielders have a combined .536 OPS, the second-lowest mark in baseball. An upgrade there feels necessary," Mintz wrote in an article.

"How general manager AJ Preller goes about improving his roster despite a farm system that’s been left relatively barren by years of win-now moves will be fascinating. San Diego’s top two prospects, catcher Ethan Salas and shortstop Leodalis De Vries, are legit, but it’s very light behind that duo."

Mintz brings up a good point regarding the Padres' limited assets. The front office likely won't want to part with Salas or De Vries, making a trade for a top-tier left fielder hard to come by.

Hays is slashing .303/.346/.555 in the 31 games that he has played, getting a 1.0 WAR and overall producing runs at a high clip.

This Austin Hays guy is good pic.twitter.com/3i730DH7Dx
— ATBBTTR (@ATBBTTR) May 25, 2025

He is currently out injured with a foot issue. Hays should get back out on the field soon, and if he continues to hit well, he could be a target for the team, likely needing to expend several lower-tier prospects.

His salary is also only $5 million, making him a low burden on his salary sheet.

Hays would give the lower end of the batting order a much needed jolt.

More news:Padres' Manny Machado Gets Hall of Fame Comp From Veteran MLB Manager

For more Padres news, head over to Padres on SI.