Padres trade – As the San Diego Padres slide to a 1-of-10 form and sit eight games behind in the NL West, trade chatter is sharpening around president of baseball operations AJ Preller and top prospect Ethan Salas—suggested to be one of the biggest names in a proposed deal f
The San Diego Padres didn’t just lose games—they lost momentum fast. Over their last 10. they’ve dropped 8. and after a hot start. they’re now eight games behind in the National League West. The urgency has reached a point where trade deadline talk isn’t background noise anymore. It’s the next move—whether it’s bold, or just too expensive to ignore.
The offense is the clearest alarm. San Diego ranks among baseball’s worst offensive teams, posting a .644 OPS. And the pressure isn’t limited to the lineup. Their starting rotation has also become a concern, adding fuel to the idea that the club may need impact upgrades—not just tweaks.
That brings the conversation back to one name that tends to sit at the center of San Diego’s most dramatic swings: AJ Preller. Since 2015. Preller has already moved on from six managers and eight lead hitting instructors. a reminder that change is baked into the way the Padres operate. In that environment, even “untouchable” prospects don’t always feel safe.
The biggest talking point is Ethan Salas, San Diego’s top prospect. Rival executives would likely view Salas as “relatively untouchable.” But under Preller, no player is fully off limits. Dennis Lin said that in coverage tied to the trade deadline buzz. explaining that Salas may be the kind of player others protect—while San Diego keeps the door open.
Lin also pointed out something that matters more than any headline: San Diego has previously made significant deadline acquisitions while working with a strict budget and a depleted farm system. If this front office decides to press again. it wouldn’t be the first time the Padres have tried to win now under tight constraints.
The proposed trade that’s putting teeth into the rumors centers on Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal. Skubal is gaining traction around the league and is set to become a free agent after the season. The structure of the suggested deal—outlined in a proposal by Kiley McDaniel—would send Skubal to San Diego. along with first baseman Spencer Torkelson.
In return, the Padres would send a package led by catcher Ethan Salas, pitchers Kruz Schoolcraft and Bryan Balzer, and reliever Jeremiah Estrada to Detroit.
The numbers behind Torkelson are doing their part to make the idea feel plausible. This season, Torkelson is hitting .212 with nine home runs, 25 RBIs, and a .712 OPS. He also has two years of team control remaining. His recent past is even more striking: he produced a breakout 2025 season with 31 home runs and a .789 OPS.
Still, the risk sits in the trade math. The suggested deal would involve moving both Salas and Schoolcraft—San Diego’s No. 1 and No. 2 prospects—for a rental in Skubal. That word—rental—hangs over every conversation because it forces the same question fans and executives keep asking: is short-term impact worth long-term value when you’re paying in top-level futures?.
Skubal could change the look of the Padres’ rotation in a hurry, which is exactly why the idea has momentum. But the combination of assets required is steep enough to keep debate alive inside the baseball world. Some teams also believe San Diego could be willing to take on additional payroll this season. which would make it easier to justify the move if the Padres believe the rotation can’t afford another slip.
It’s the collision of two realities that makes the next decision feel combustible. San Diego’s offense is struggling with a .644 OPS, and the starting rotation is under pressure. At the same time. Preller’s track record since 2015 shows an organization that doesn’t wait for perfect conditions before making a shift.
The Padres are staring at a season that has already turned rough. If they’re going to act. the most dramatic version of that action would go straight through their most prized prospects—starting with Ethan Salas. and possibly extending to Kruz Schoolcraft—just to land Tarik Skubal before the deadline window closes.
San Diego Padres AJ Preller Ethan Salas Kruz Schoolcraft Tarik Skubal Spencer Torkelson MLB trade deadline Detroit Tigers