The Padres could finally get their missing pieces when the deadline hits.
The San Diego Padres, as is the case in recent years, are currently in battle with their rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers for the crown in the National League West, with the latter currently ahead by 5.5 games at the All-Star break.
And with the MLB trade deadline just two weeks away, the team could have their answer to their issue, with two standout players from the Baltimore Orioles.
And no, it's not Adley Rutschman nor Gunnar Henderson.
According to CBS Sports' predictions for the second half of the 2025 MLB season, which included trade deadline moves, their prediction for the Padres and Orioles were that San Diego would end up trading for starting pitcher Zach Eflin and Cedric Mullins, for likely a load of prospects.
And the site even predicts that general manager A.J. Preller will try to squeeze Orioles closer Felix Bautista into the deal, who missed all of last season with Tommy John surgery, but has gotten back on track in 2025.
Eflin currently sits 6-5 with 42 strikeouts and a concerning 5.95 earned run average, while Mullins is batting .218 with 13 homers and 41 RBI, the All-Star break seemingly coming at a good time for both of them.
The Orioles currently sit dead last in the AL East standings, a hefty 11 games behind the leading Toronto Blue Jays, having been plagued by injuries, especially with star shortstop Henderson missing the first part of the season with an injury, but has also rebounded well and has been a silver lining for the team, coming off of a spectacular 2024 season that saw him finish fourth in AL MVP voting.
However, with Xander Bogaerts covering shortstop duties for the team, it's unlikely that Preller will try to go all in and include the 24-year-old shortstop on the deal.
After all, if last year taught us anything, it's the pitchers that the Padres GM is good at snagging at the deadline.
Category: Baseball
